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Indore: Second forest fire in 20 days destroys saplings at Bijasan Ramna. Masking a 12,000 Sapling Discrepancy? | Tina Khatri

Bijasan Ramna Fire: Masking a 12,000 Sapling Discrepancy? | Tina Khatri
Investigation: Environmental Accountability

Bijasan Ramna Forest Fire: Natural Disaster or Data Cover-Up?

By TINA KHATRI | INDORE | March 10, 2026

A major fire tore through the Bijasan Ramna forest area on Tuesday, marking the second such incident in the range within 20 days. While officials cite electrical faults, the blaze has ignited a firestorm of scrutiny over missing plantation data.

The fire broke out in the rear portion of the 14-hectare forest. Fed by dry summer grass and rising temperatures, the flames engulfed two to three hectares in a matter of minutes. It took forest guards, local villagers, and the Indore Municipal Corporation approximately two and a half hours to extinguish the flames using water tankers and chemical foam.

The Official Explanation

Ranger Sangeeta Thakur, who oversaw the emergency response, stated that the fire had spread significantly before it could be fully contained. According to the initial assessment, the trigger was a short circuit in the electricity company’s distribution panel (DP) located within the forest premises.

"Unfortunately, a number of young plants were destroyed in the blaze," Thakur added.

The Stark Discrepancy: Hariyali Mahotsav

Despite the official explanation, the incident has intensified scrutiny over the survival rates of the Hariyali Mahotsav plantation project. Internal data reveals a massive gap between reported figures and verified reality:

Project Phase Reported Saplings (2024) Verified Count (2025) Discrepancy
Hariyali Mahotsav 40,000 28,000 -12,000

Masking Mortality?

The department is currently investigating the recurring nature of these electrical faults. More significantly, authorities are looking into whether these fires are being used to mask the high mortality rate of the missing 12,000 saplings.

Concerns are heightened by the fact that 2,000 to 3,000 of the surviving plants were only recently put in the ground, leaving the actual long-term survival rates of the reforestation drive in question.

Blogger Search Description: Investigative report on the Bijasan Ramna forest fire in Indore. While officials blame a short circuit, data reveals a 12,000 sapling discrepancy in the Hariyali Mahotsav project. Reported by Tina Khatri.

TAGS: tinakhatri.blogspot.com, Indore Forest Fire, Bijasan Ramna, Hariyali Mahotsav Investigation, Environmental Accountability MP.

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