Photo: Collected
A fire that broke out in the Tepar Beel area under the Kolomteji Camp of the Chandpai Range in the Sundarbans East Division is yet to come fully under control, as a three-member committee has been formed to investigate its origin. Forest Department said this morning (23 March) that the fire is largely under control, but thick smoke and sporadic flames remain visible in some areas.
The extent of the damage and the origin of the fire remain uncertain.
Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of the Bagerhat Fire Service, Sakaria Haider, stated, "The fire is largely under control as the Forest Department is using its irrigation pumps to douse the flames. However, laying pipelines to transport water to the fire site remains a challenge, as the nearest water source, the dead Bhola River, is at least three kilometres away."
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, said, "There are no large flames, only smoke. We are using our irrigation pumps to put out the fire. Our firefighting efforts continued until late Saturday night."
"Wherever we see smoke, we are spraying water. Based on the current situation, I don't see any major reason for concern. The fire is at least 60 to 70 per cent under control," he added.
The investigation committee, led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Dipon Chandra Das of the Chandpai Range, also includes Dhansagar station Officer Bipuleshwar Das and Kolmateji Patrol Outpost In-Charge Rafiqul Islam.
The committee has been tasked with submitting a report within seven working days, determining the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of forest damage.
According to officials, smoke was first spotted on Saturday afternoon (22 March) in the Kolmateji patrol outpost area under Dhansagar Station in the Sundarbans East Division. The Bagerhat Fire Service, along with units from Sharankhola and Morelganj, responded promptly and stationed five fire units on the banks of the Bhola River near the affected area.
Messenger/JRTarek
