Concerns Rise Over Wildlife Safety After Forest Fire Near Gibbon Sanctuary

Wildfire Erupts Near Mariani Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

Jorhat, Feb 5: A wildfire ignited late Wednesday night in a secluded forest area adjacent to the Mariani Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, raising significant alarms regarding the safety of local wildlife. Residents have voiced concerns about the forest department's slow response to the incident.

By Thursday morning, efforts had largely contained the fire, although smoke continued to rise in certain areas, suggesting that some fire pockets remained.

“The flames are gradually subsiding, but we still lack full control. Our efforts are limited without the right equipment and trained personnel,” remarked a local villager.

Reports indicate that officials are contemplating the creation of a firebreak or drainage system to halt the fire's further spread.

The blaze is thought to have originated in a chapori near Devaguri, close to the sanctuary, before extending across a vast area of forest.

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary and its adjacent woodlands are critical habitats for the endangered Asiatic hoolock gibbon and also facilitate elephant movement, intensifying worries about the fire's repercussions.

Local inhabitants reported that the fire broke out unexpectedly at night, causing alarm due to its proximity to sensitive ecological zones. While the precise cause remains unknown, villagers suspect it may have been intentionally ignited.

“This region is very close to the gibbon habitat, and elephants frequently traverse this path. We are uncertain if the fire was set deliberately or if it ignited naturally. If it spreads, the gibbon sanctuary will be in jeopardy,” expressed a local resident.

Despite claims that the Forest Department was notified promptly after the fire began, locals assert that no officials arrived at the scene overnight or even by Thursday morning.

“We alerted the forest officials immediately, but no one responded. There was no action taken to control the fire,” another resident claimed.

In the absence of official assistance, villagers utilized water from the nearby Bhogdoi River, working tirelessly through the night to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from encroaching further into the forest.

Their collective efforts managed to slow the fire's progression, although it remains partially active.

This affected area also serves as a grazing ground and is part of a vital wildlife corridor, making the situation particularly concerning for conservationists and local communities alike.