Srinagar, Jan. 12 -- A major fire broke out in the forests surrounding Dachigam National Park in the outskirts of Srinagar during Saturday night, officials said on Sunday.

They said that the forest fire was reported deep in the forest area of Brain-Nishat conservation reserve, part of the Dachigam wildlife corridor in Zabarwan mountains, which is a protected area owing to the presence of important flora and fauna, including critically endangered red deer, Hangul.

Range officer, Fida Hussain said that it took hours to contain the black blaze due to night time. "Mostly wildgrass was on fire and it took a few hours to contain the fire," he said.

"This is Brain-Nishat conservation reserve and is surrounding the Dachigam National Park," he ...