Team Herald

PANJIM: The active fire was still on at four locations at Satrem and Derodem hills even as the total number of active fires in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary increased to 11 on Friday.

On the other hand, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday submitted a thorough report to the offices of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh updating the situation. Rane said that two helicopters have been assigned to the State government and from Saturday, the sorties will target all the areas

as prioritised by the

forest department.

According to Rane, there are 11 active flames at the moment, and 512 people are working to put them out. Number of places where active fires were reported at 4 pm on Friday.

The fire-affected areas included Satrem Parod, Satrem Sidichikon, Satrem bridge, Krishnapur, Pendral, Derodem dongor, Sigao, Kalay, Anmod Ghat, Tamdi Surla, Mollem, Gurkhem, Dharbandora-Usgao, Ponda, Piliem and Bondla.

The fire at Potrem, Netravali and Sangod, Collem have been doused, he added. In addition to this, 11 other incidents of fire were reported across the State, while 69 fire related calls were attended by Goa Fire And Emergency Services on Friday.

The Forest Minister had a discussion with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Rajiv Gupta, APCCF Saurabh Kumar and the Collector and requested them to mobilise additional people on behalf of the Disaster Management Cell.

Stating that the assistance from the village panchayat has also been sought, Rane said, “Everyone willingly volunteered to help us put out the fire. We are all working together to save our forests and will do whatever it takes to end the forest fire as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, APCCF Saurabh Kumar who visited the Satrem area on Friday evening, said, “The forest department is continuously monitoring and assessing the situation. Overall the situation is coming under control with support of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. There are some minor fires still at Satrem hillock. We are finding it bit difficult to trace it and reach there. But things are coming under control.”

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ICAR scientist complains of uneasiness, takEN TO HOSPITAL

PANJIM: Dr A Raizada, 59, scientist of Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Old Goa who had gone to Satrem area for inspection of the damage caused to cashew plantation due to fire, complained of uneasiness while climbing the hillock and had to be brought down on a stretcher.

The incident occurred on Friday morning when Dr Raizada along with his colleague from ICAR had gone to the Satrem area where cashew plantations have been damaged due to raging fires. They were climbing the hillock near Deepaji Rane fort when suddenly Dr Raizada complained of ill health.

The locals rushed to the hillock and brought Dr Raizada down on a stretcher and took him to the Valpoi community centre. The doctors at the Valpoi Community Centre informed O Heraldo that Dr Raizada had suffered from dehydration and was discharged in the afternoon.

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Cong demands judicial probe into forest fires

PANJIM: The Congress party on Friday demanded a judicial

probe into the fire incidents in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and to divest Vishwajit Rane of his

Forest portfolio.

The party said it is impossible that fires occurred due to heat, when the temperature in the State is low.

“It is a planned execution to destroy the forests. Somebody is deliberately setting the forests on fire. The party strongly suspects politico-real estate connection,” the opposition party said.