Paradip: A fire has swept through vast stretches of casiruanna and mangrove forest leaving in its trail of damages in the forested area of Sandhakuda on the outskirts of port township.

The impact of the fire was minimal as it was doused promptly by fire brigade and forest personnel. As the forest cover was located in close proximity of port town, the fire brigade personnel had arrived within half-an-hour of the mishap to extinguish the flames, said Kujang forest range officer Pratap Chandra Mohanty.

"It was extinguished on time. Fire brigade and forest personnel with active assistance of local villagers doused off the inferno. Because of timely intervention, extent of damage was greatly minimised," he said.

Investigation found that the fire was man-made.

Unlawful collectors of honey are suspected to have perpetrated the fire. Usually, dried twigs of standing trees are set on fire by honey collectors to drive away honeybees through the smoke stemming from it.

Apart from gutting the young mangrove and casiruanna species and swampy bushes, the blaze also did damage to some of the ground-dwelling fauna. However, the damage done is quite minimal.

"We have got the conclusive evidence that the fire was the handiwork of a group of honey collectors. In their attempt to collect honey from beehives, they might have set twigs and thorny bushes on fire. Later, it spread fast to larger areas of the forest," said a forest official.

Destruction of forest wealth is a serious offence under forest conservation and wildlife protection act.

The forest department would now step up vigil on the trespassing honey collecting groups as they often resort to set things on fire.

The casiruanna tree cover in Sandhakuda and adjoining areas close to Paradip beach is a vital green cover, which provides a natural ambience to the bustling industrial township, said forest officials.