Protected Wild Area of JU Damaged by Fire

A fire broke out in a protected wild area of ​​Monpura adjacent to the swimming pool of Jahangirnagar University (JU). The fire broke out at 3:30 pm on Saturday (January 29). Several students and security personnel present at the scene brought the fire under control after an hour-long effort.

The fire burned most of the area adjacent to Monpura Island. The fire was reportedly started by some outsiders, but it was not immediately clear who started the blaze.

Sabuj Sikder, a 46-batch student of the archeology department and a JU branch BCL activist who was present at the spot, said, "In the afternoon, I went for a walk in the swimming pool area with my two elder brothers. Suddenly I saw smoke and went there and saw fire burning. Since I don't have watering equipment at hand, I try to extinguish the fire by breaking the branches of the tree. At this time I also informed the friends of the hall. Later, Mostafiz, Partho, Jafar and Asif came there and helped douse the fire.”

He added that some security personnel later helped put out the fire. Many places in Monpura area get burnt due to lack of water extinguishing facilities.

Russell Swadhin, the university's security officer, said: "We heard about the fire around 4 pm. I got there immediately. Some leaders and activists of University Chhatra League were present at the spot. They were able to control the fire by working together. I learned from others present at the scene that some outsiders had set fire to the spot and left. The perpetrators have not yet been identified.

Kamrul Hasan, a professor in the zoology department of the university, said, “Such fires happen inside the university every year. The environment of the campus is facing damage. Even in the last few years, such fires are more likely to start towards the end of winter. This causes extensive damage to small insects and trees. Especially at this time many small animals including lizards, frogs, snakes, chameleons take shelter under the fallen leaves or grass. All animals die in such fires. These animals have a lot to contribute to maintaining the natural balance.”

Although the Deputy Registrar (Estate) of the University Mohammad Abdur Rahman was called many times in this regard, his mobile phone was found switched off.

It is known that such fires start in different places of the university at the end of winter every year. The university administration has not yet been able to find out those who are responsible for the blaze.