Fire: 'Special alert' in Chandpai range of the Sundarbans

The fire that broke out in Tulatola area in Chandpai range of the Sundarbans on Wednesday afternoon could not be fully doused.

Smoke billowed from some places as of yesterday, though firefighters and forest officials claimed that the fire was under control.  

This is for the fourth time that a fire broke out near Dhansagar station in Chandpai range under Sharankhola upazila since March 27.

The forest department yesterday issued a "special alert" for the forest officials in the Chandpai range to tackle the entry of unwanted people in the area. 

It also suspended all the issued passes.

Zahir Uddin Ahmed, conservator of forest in Khulna region, said the special alert was issued following the repeated incidents of fire.

He said the entry of fishermen, lumberjacks, honey collectors and people to the Chandpai range had also been restricted.

The restriction would remain in force until further notice, he added.

Zahir also said a letter was sent to the fire service department, asking it to keep a unit ready at the Dhansagar forest station until it rains.

"We suspect that it is an act of sabotage by a group of influential people who are trying to keep their control over the forest," he said.

Two cases were filed against some local influential people following the fires on April 13 and 18.

"The accused set the forest on fire again," Zahir claimed, adding that they had requested police to arrest the accused.

Saidul Islam, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans' East Zone, said smoke could still be seen at places and the fire service and forest officials were spraying water.

The fire service and forest officials found it difficult to douse the fire completely because of the heat wave and strong winds, he said.

A six-member committee has been formed by the environment and forest ministry to investigate the fires.