Hazaribagh, May 7: A fire, seething in the forested swathes of Giridih since last month-end, has reportedly taken a heavy toll on the flora and fauna on the holy Parasnath Hills and is threatening the cluster of temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars who attained salvation there.

What caused the unbridled blaze around April 27 is debatable with a section of local residents blaming Sendra cooking whereas dry summer heat fuelling forest fires is not uncommon in this part of Jharkhand.

The Parasnath Hills in Giridih's Madhuban, around 250km from capital Ranchi, runs for 27km. If sources are to be believed, the fire started close to one of the temples known as Kalikund in the Kuthibari area and has already singed 10-12km of green cover on and around the hills. It was first spotted yesterday and is, currently, 3km from the main temple among the cluster of 20, each dedicated to a Tirthankar.

"We suspect the fire started after the tribal hunting festival of Sendra. Animals were killed and their meat cooked in the forest as a part of the celebrations. A dying ember must have fallen on dry leaves and branches, stoking the big fire," said a Madhuban resident, requesting anonymity.

Another resident, who identified himself as Akshay Shankar, claimed that the forested Parasnath Hills were home to many small mammals and reptiles. "Several of them have died in the fire already while tall trees have been razed to the ground. If the administration doesn't respond quickly, many more will die and the holy hills will be destroyed," he said.

Makar Sankranti Mela Samiti, a Hindu organisation that voluntarily looks after the Parasnath Hills, has launched a basic firefighting mission from today. "Sixty of our members are working overtime to control the fire. We lack gear and resources to douse the flames; so, we are trying to limit the area of damage by removing dry leaves and branches," said Manoj Agarwal, the president of the outfit.

Giridih deputy commissioner Uma Shankar Singh said the forest department had been informed yesterday and resources to fight the fire were being marshalled. "The blaze will be under control very soon," he added.

Divisional forest officer (wildlife), Hazaribagh, R.N. Mishra said a team of 14 firefighters had begun work, but they were yet to ascertain the total area of damage. "The fire started on the foothills and leaped up. We are containing it by segregating singed swathes. We haven't been able to take our gear uphill yet," he said, adding that they were hopeful of dousing the fire by tomorrow.

On what triggered the blaze, Mishra ruled out the Sendra theory and dwelt more on human imprudence. "The Sendra kill count was zero this year. There is no question of cooking meat and that causing a fire. But yes, devotees to the temples may have been careless with lighting incense sticks. Also, wild fires are not uncommon at this time of the season," he said.