ASSAGAO: Large tracts of hilly terrain near the Sateri Devasthan in Sodiem Siolim was deliberately set afire at Siolim causing anxiety among the locals. The owner was later booked by the Forest Department after the residents raised a hue and cry over the incident.
According to information obtained from locals including the Sateri Devasthan committee members, it is learnt that while they were doing some work in the temple last morning , they suddenly saw smoke billowing from the hill and upon rushing to the site they were shocked to see massive fire that had engulfed and destroyed many trees.
Upon enquiring with some workers who were around they came to know that some persons had sent them and suspected the persons to be some builders who were trying to finish the forest and create space for some project there.
The temple committee members expressed apprehension about the degradation of the environment and also fear about the destruction of the wonderful hill.
They informed that nowadays builders have been setting their eyes on such green patches and forests and green areas to start their projects as much of the settlement zones were now saturated.
Sodiem Siolim Sarpanch Nilesh Vaigankar stated that it was sabotage and he was called by the Forest Department to stand as witness in the case.
An officer from the Forest Department Sagar Morje stated that they have booked the owner for setting the hill and fire deliberately.
