Army copter joins operation to douse fire at Mukundra Hills tiger reserve

After the fire that broke out in the Mukundra Hills tiger reserve on Tuesday, the army and the air force had to step in on Thursday to douse it.

Jaipur, April 21: The army and the air fForce had to step in to douse the fire that broke out in the Mukundra Hills tiger forest reserve on Tuesday and was rapidly spreading in the area.

The state government had asked the air force to provide assistance in extinguishing the fire. Following the request, South Western Air Command tasked the helicopter unit at Phalodi for providing necessary assistance.

"An air force chopper dropped water, taken from the nearby Chambal river, on the fire spread in about 4 km radius of the forest reserve, while army officials helped the fire tenders on ground to douse the fire," SP Kota city Swai Singh Godara said.The fire has now been completely doused, he added.

"A total of 13 shuttles were carried out with underslung Bambi Bucket. 30,600 litres of water was delivered and the fire was brought under control. The operation was called off after the mission was accomplished," defence spokesperson, Manish Ojha said.

Godara said that "the fire came to light on Tuesday night following which fire tenders were pressed into service but they were able to douse only half of it till on Wednesday, following which the air forces help was sought on Thursday."

It is the third such incident in a month when help from the army and the air force was sought to control a fire in the state.

PTI