Khordha, April 25: A fire that erupted in Chilika Lake, located in Odisha's Khordha district, has been successfully extinguished after several hours of intense firefighting efforts, according to officials. The fire had spread through dry Phragmites patches, known locally as Nala grass, before being controlled by a coordinated response involving wildlife teams and fire services from both Khordha and Puri districts.
Wildlife officials have raised suspicions that the fire may have been intentionally set by miscreants in the ecologically sensitive area, although the exact cause is still under investigation. Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Chilika Wildlife Division, explained that such fires are not unusual in the region due to the combination of dry vegetation and human activity. "The primary fire risk in Chilika comes from the Phragmites patches, or Nala grass. Human interference and dry conditions make these areas highly susceptible to fire, which can spread rapidly and be difficult to control," Nayak noted.
Nayak also highlighted that wildlife teams are on constant surveillance in the lake area, utilizing boats, foot patrols, and vehicles to respond promptly to fire incidents. "These grass patches are crucial habitats for species such as fishing cats and nesting birds, so we take special measures to safeguard them," he added.
In response to the fire, control efforts were ramped up immediately after the blaze was reported. Teams from Khordha and Puri districts worked relentlessly for hours to prevent the fire from spreading further. According to officials, drone surveys conducted after the fire was extinguished revealed that the damage was confined to the burned grass, with no significant destruction to wildlife. "Fortunately, no animals were harmed," Nayak confirmed.
Officials said that drone monitoring was carried out post-fire to assess the overall damage, and the results showed that it was limited to the charred grass, with no major impact on the surrounding environment.
