PANJIM: Miscreants set ablaze dry grass and shrubs behind Public Health Centre (PHC), Aldona on Sunday, sparking off angry reactions from residents.
Three bordering villages namely Aldona, Olaulim and Pomburpa were affected due to the fire and smoke caused by it, which caused heavy air pollution in the area.
However, the timely arrival of the Fire Station personnel from Mapusa saved vast areas of cashew plantation. Residents said every year some unknown persons set the dry shrubs to fire.
However, even before the fire brigade personnel could reach the spot, some villagers ran to the spot with buckets of water and tried to distinguish the fire.
“We do not know who does this but it happens every year. We have been cultivating cashews for many years here. However, our plants have not been damaged in the fire,” an elderly woman from Aldona said.
“We received a call around 11 am and immediately we rushed to the spot. We reached the spot within 15 minutes. The fire spread to all the three villages of Aldona, Olaulim and Pomburpa. Local people helped us a lot and we succeeded in distinguishing the fire soon. Villagers told me that it happens every year. I urge people not to indulge in such activities,” leading Fire Fighter Prakash Kannaik told reporters.
Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira said, “I received a message that fire has broken out at the field. I rushed to the spot to see that everything was fine. This is the border of Olaulim and Aldona. This is a very beautiful area. These forests are notified and protected. I had raised the issue in the Assembly that the grass is cut or set on fire. I will bring it to the notice of the government that there is a racket involved in carrying out illegal construction activities.”
