Water-bombing IAF choppers help contain fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Bengaluru, Feb 26: With Indian Air Force helicopters dumping gallons of water and firefighters toiling hard, the raging forest fire that burnt thousands of acres in Bandipur Tiger reserve has been brought under "total control", the forest department said Tuesday.
"The fire is under total control. It is not even on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border," principal chief conservator of forest C Jayaram (wildlife) said.
The success could be achieved with the help of the Indian Air Force, which deployed two helicopters that ferried several gallons of water from a nearby reservoir to douse the raging flames.
State Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Punati Sridhar also said the blaze has been brought under total control.
"The wind was quite calm and the IAF choppers too contributed in controlling the fire.
Our foresters and volunteers too toiled hard to control the fire.. The damage to the wildlife is zero as they all had moved to greener pasture.
Most of the trees are intact. Mostly the grass (on large swathes) were burnt," said Sridhar.
However, the department would be vigilant for at least a week as the fire could be smouldering in some areas, the officer added.
The forest department has started a probe to find what caused the fire, extent of damage and measures to breathe life into the huge tract of land bereft of its greenery.
The blaze was first spotted about a week ago and since then efforts were on to contain it.
With the fire raging, the state government sought the help of the Indian Air Force on Monday which started its operation on a war footing.
The forest department suspects it to be an act of sabotage.
To compound the problem, five to six feet tall dry grass had come up on large swathes which helped the flames spread, according to officials.
Forest officials and fire service personnel along with hundreds of volunteers made a vain bid to douse the blaze over the past few days.
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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
