Forest fires, being reported from different parts of Hazaribagh district - including its two animal parks - for the past three weeks, have sent officials into a tizzy.

Sources said fires had singed forested stretches of the Barkagaon region such as Mahudi, Budhwa Mahadev, Bathania, Ambatari, Dumrao, Likhlahi, Dwarpal, Chhindritand, Katkamsandi, Chouparan, Ichak and Padma, besides pockets of Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary and Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forest department has sought help for blaze control from 112 gram samitis in the absence of its own resources and funds.

Divisional forest officer (West) Rajeev Ranjan said they only had 17 forest guards against 112 sanctioned posts. "The department is taking possible measures to save the forests and wildlife. We are taking help of gram samitis."

Ranjan maintained that wild fires were common in summer months. "Despite resource crunch, we are able to contain the situation with the help of local villagers every year. But, the threat to wildlife remains," he rued.

So far, no loss of animal life had been reported, another forester added.

Villagers of Barkagaon said that while dry leaves and heat sparked wild fires, man was also responsible at times.

"People throw burning cigarettes or bidis on dry leaves. Barkagaon is known for its forests and officials should generate awareness against wild fires and manmade fires," said Buddhan Mahto, a local resident.

Many others complained that though the state forest department pumped in big money to plant saplings, it never cared to save the existing green cover.