Fire in Mount Abu: Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is burning once again within the greens under a ferocious forest fire. The Gambhiri Nala area is engulfed under thick plumes of smoke cast a shadow over the entire area. Winds are said to stoke the fire, which could quickly escalate if not tamed soon. Firefighting teams from the forest department and municipal fire brigades are tirelessly traveling the field, yet the battle against the blaze remains ongoing and parameterized.
Wildlife in Peril: Over 300 Bears at Risk
In a rare glimpse of the cascades of nature in the diversity that flourishes jointly, bears have other panthers, sambars, hyenas, and hosting the very rare birds of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in more than 300 numbers. Reports from local sources have mentioned that fire was spreading across their habitat, and perhaps many animals have sustained injuries or perished due to the severity. One local shared, “It was terrifying to see the flames so close to the forest. We are worried about the bears and other wildlife.” The forest department is yet to declare anything on the confirmed deaths. So, it remains uncertain what will be the fate of these animals as the fire engulfed more.
A Relentless Fire: Rekindled Flames Challenge Control Efforts
Everything seemed to be looking hopeful on Sunday after a joint operation by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and the forest department snuffed out the fire, but then the flames spread back with vigor on Monday near Gambhiri Nala. High winds have rendered the firefighting a difficult task. On the ground are forest officials, local volunteers, army jawans, and fire tenders working day and night, sooted faces revealing their determination: “The wind is our biggest enemy right now,” said one of the firefighters. Exhausted, but the teams are pressing on. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Mount Abu’s Fragile Legacy: A History of Flames and Resilience
Mount Abu has indeed seen such devastation once before. In 2017, a recession caused havoc in some iconic places like Honeymoon Point and Sunset Point. It then took three days of helicopter water drops by the Indian Armed Forces to extinguish the fire. The 820 and more plant species, 250 bird types, including 155 as rarest of rare, and thousands of animals make it an ecology treasure.
Unfortunately, history has not been so good with the sanctuary because of hundreds of fires in the last ten years. This time, there’s something about the spread of the fire that feels new; hence, officials urgently call for vigilance and reporting of any suspicious activities. The only hill station in Rajasthan is now fighting for survival, so, more or less, its fate depends on the flames. Rajasthan Patrika
