Kohima, Feb. 27: Hundreds of acres in the majestic Dzukou Valley have been reduced to ashes in a fire that began on Saturday morning while the Angamis were celebrating Sekrenyi, the festival of sanctification, at Kohima public ground on February 25.

The cause of fire is unknown.

Sources said the fire was spreading fast in the dry season, compounded by the early spring winds.

Yesterday being Sunday, officials of the Kohima district administration, forest department personnel and volunteers from Southern Angami villages today left for the valley to assess the damage caused by the inferno.

They will ascertain the steps to stop the fire from spreading further.

A devastating fire wiped out Southern Dzukou in 2006 and the state government had then dashed off an SOS to the Centre asking for logistics like choppers, with specially fitted tanks beneath them to carry water and chemicals, which can be dropped on the fire to prevent its spread.

Another similar disaster was averted in 2009.

Over 20 square km was reduced to ashes in 2006.

The destruction comes at the time when the state was mulling ways to reduce damage to the eco-system in order to avert disasters because of climate change.

Dzukou, which is some 30km from Kohima, is also a sanctuary for endangered tragopans and other species of birds and animals.

So far, the authorities have not been able to ascertain who could be behind the fire at Dzukou, as this is the season when hunters reportedly set fire to the forests to hunt animals.

Naga organisations have announced a hefty reward to anyone providing information about the fire.

The Manipur Valley has also claimed Dzukou Valley as its own.While it is constructing a road to the valley, the Nagaland government is contemplating the construction of a helipad at Dzukou.

Every year, hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists visit the valley.