VALPOI: Stating that an inquiry has been initiated by the Forest Department into the fire incident in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday night warned of stern action against those found guilty of setting the areas on fire.
He also added that the government will not hesitate to suspend Forest Department officials if found to be irresponsible in handling the matter.
Speaking to reporters after chairing an urgent meeting at Morlem, Sattari with officials of Forest Department, State Disaster Management, with regards to the forest fire incidents, Sawant appealed to the people cleaning their cashew plantations in the close proximity to forest areas by burning the dry grass, to refrain from doing so, in order to prevent the spread of fire.
He said that the entire forest force was deployed and the blaze was doused on Monday but it erupted yet again on Tuesday. The fire-fighting operations will continue on Wednesday from 6 am with the help of Forest Department officials, local panchayat and people from Poriem constituency, who have volunteered to render all possible help.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane and Poriem MLA Deviya Rane were also present.
The Forest Minister alleged that it was a deliberate attempt to create such forest fires, and that he has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) to divert and deploy all the forest guards in the respective areas to control the situation.
Meanwhile, the authorities appear to be “groping in the dark” with regards to the raging fire in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, which spread to Keri village on Tuesday.
In the evening, the Forest Department officials contacted the Indian Navy seeking the services of a helicopter to douse the fire.
Sources in the Forest Department informed that the raging inferno has compelled a tigress and her two male cubs to move out of her habitat in the sanctuary. These wild cats have been searching for a safe habitat and there are chances of these animals entering the villages in Sattari and attacking the villagers.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said, “If the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary fire is not brought under control by the Keri territory forest range authority, then it will spread to the forested area inside the wildlife sanctuary and in its vicinity. Seventy-eight per cent of forest in the North Goa falls in Sattari taluka and in past few years, the forest is rapidly being destroyed and degraded. The fire incident should be taken seriously and accorded top priority.”
Fire mafia promoted by ‘anti-environment’ BJP govt in super active mode: Opposition Leader
MARGAO: Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has alleged that the fire mafia promoted by the “anti-environment” BJP government is in super active mode with fires reported at several parts of the State, destroying forests and biodiversity.
He demanded a high level inquiry of all the fire incidents in Goa reported in the last few days.
It is pertinent to note that in the past few days several fire incidents have been reported at Satrem-Sattari, Navelim and Quepem Hills, cashew plantations at Korgao, Padel at Bethora and other places across Goa.
“The cases of fire incidents have spiked in the last few days with the State Fire and Emergency Services receiving 118 calls of dry grass and cashew plantation fires in just 48 hours. This is something abnormal and suspicious,” claimed Yuri.
He said that as per the information, a private forest with pristine trees, bush cover, numerous birds and reptiles was burnt deliberately with a malicious intent of selling the Comunidade land to builders in Socorro village in Bardez taluka.
“The reports of fire incidents in each taluka of the State over the last weekend give scope to suspect foul play. The anti-environment and real estate mafia are eyeing prime Goan cultivable land to convert the same into concrete jungles. This needs to be probed thoroughly,” he demanded.
He said although the fire incidents in the hilly areas are attributed to rising temperatures, the possibility of a systematic game plan to destroy the forests cannot be ruled out. The Inquiry Commission should be headed by a retired High Court Judge.
Greens point to Causes of Mhadei-like forest fires, suggest measures to control them
PANJIM: The nearly five-day forest ground fire in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary has devastated Chorla Ghat, Vagheri Hill, Keri and Charavane, all comprising about 150 acres of land. Environmentalists and RFOs say that the fire may be caused due to abuse of the Forest Rights Act, where people may try to claim more forest land for horticulture, by saying they were cultivating it. The fire may also be caused by miscreants or due to scorching heat. Fires aimed at destroying cashew cultivation may be due to enmity. While some feel the only way to control forest fires is fighting it on the ground through villagers and labourers, others suggest that carbon dioxide powder be poured on forest fires from helicopters. Ex-RFO Prakash Salelkar said that raging fire can be controlled only by pouring carbon dioxide in powder from by Navy helicopters.
He said that this type of raging fire cannot be controlled manually. He suspected that some miscreants might have set fire out of vengeance, apprehending that that Mhadei Sanctuary may be declared as Tiger Reserve. This is the main problem behind it. Also it could be handiwork of shepherds, who can take their goats for grazing new shoots grown from the burnt trees.
Salelkar further said that those seeking land rights under the Forest Settlement Rights can set fire so as to claim more land claiming that area which was destroyed in fire was cultivated by him.
Former Deputy Conservator of Forest, Milind Karkhanis said that the Forest Department should be well equipped with machinery and proper facilities to detect the fire and it can be done by erecting a series of watch towers, which covers maximum areas of the Sanctuary. The moment fire breaks out at any place it must be detected and staff working in the sanctuary can rush to the spot with the implements to control the fire. The only precaution is that the fire should be detected in time.
