BETTIAH, March 10 -- With the onset of summer, forest officials at the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) have begun activating multi-pronged strategies, including reliance on satellite inputs from Forest Research Institute, to control forest fires and strengthen wildlife safety in Bihar's West Champaran district, officials said.

Sharing the information, Gaurav Ojha, chief wildlife warden and field director of VTR, said that the dry weather during summer significantly increases the risk of forest fires, which can threaten the reserve's rich biodiversity, including several endangered species.

"To tackle the situation, the forest department has intensified controlled burning and patrolling across the forest and readied fire lines. Apart from thi...