The forest fire continued to rage in Dzukou Valley, a prime tourist location, of Nagaland for the sixth day as personnel from forest department, Assam Rifles and other government agencies fought to put off the blaze.
Nearly 500 volunteers from both western and southern Angami areas were assisting personnel from forest department, home guards, Assam Rifles and fire and emergency services to control the flames which broke out on Monday in western fringes of Khonoma village of Kohima district in the southern parts, officials said.
The verdant valley, inaccessible by motorable roads, is home to the most endangered fowl species 'Blythe’s Tragopan' besides other jungle fowls and is the main source of water for surrounding areas and parts of Kohima town.
A spokesman of Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary Trust said many birds might have perished since the blaze devoured about 10 sq km of prime habitat of jungle fowls and other wild animals.
The raging inferno, having originated on the western fringe, was now fast approaching the south.
Some villagers said the fire started accidentally when littered plastic was being burnt by some youth campers, and the dry spell and breeze on high mountains aggravated the situation turning the sanctuary, mostly carpeted with dwarf bamboo species and ferns, into black patches.
A reconnaissance team, comprising senior forest and district administration officials, on Friday made an aerial survey of western Dzukou to inspect the damage.
The team led by Commissioner and Secretary Forest and Special Secretary to CM, L Kire was of the view that the fire had completely ravaged the western side and rapidly spreading towards the southern part covered with verdant forests, including different species of Rhodhodendrons.
Forets officials pointed out that the dwarf bamboos and ferns have the capacity to come up after rains but the main worry is the damage to the virgin forest, which is also home to many endangered animals.
The Khonoma Youth Organisation in a statement said it was undertaking all conventional methods to contain the fire by deploying 300 village youth but the efforts proved futile.
The Catholic Church Sechü (Zubza) has tendered 'unconditional' apology to Jotsoma and Southern Angami public organisation for the fire reportedly caused by its youth members.
Nearly 500 volunteers from both western and southern Angami areas were assisting personnel from forest department, home guards, Assam Rifles and fire and emergency services to control the flames which broke out on Monday in western fringes of Khonoma village of Kohima district in the southern parts, officials said.
The verdant valley, inaccessible by motorable roads, is home to the most endangered fowl species 'Blythe’s Tragopan' besides other jungle fowls and is the main source of water for surrounding areas and parts of Kohima town.
A spokesman of Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary Trust said many birds might have perished since the blaze devoured about 10 sq km of prime habitat of jungle fowls and other wild animals.
The raging inferno, having originated on the western fringe, was now fast approaching the south.
Some villagers said the fire started accidentally when littered plastic was being burnt by some youth campers, and the dry spell and breeze on high mountains aggravated the situation turning the sanctuary, mostly carpeted with dwarf bamboo species and ferns, into black patches.
A reconnaissance team, comprising senior forest and district administration officials, on Friday made an aerial survey of western Dzukou to inspect the damage.
The team led by Commissioner and Secretary Forest and Special Secretary to CM, L Kire was of the view that the fire had completely ravaged the western side and rapidly spreading towards the southern part covered with verdant forests, including different species of Rhodhodendrons.
Forets officials pointed out that the dwarf bamboos and ferns have the capacity to come up after rains but the main worry is the damage to the virgin forest, which is also home to many endangered animals.
The Khonoma Youth Organisation in a statement said it was undertaking all conventional methods to contain the fire by deploying 300 village youth but the efforts proved futile.
The Catholic Church Sechü (Zubza) has tendered 'unconditional' apology to Jotsoma and Southern Angami public organisation for the fire reportedly caused by its youth members.
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