He says probe is underway to identify cause
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the House that a digital map indicating fire incidences in the state including a comprehensive plan for management of forest fire has been prepared and a report of where and how fire incidents occurred is in place.
He said that the forest, fire and police departments have prepared data on forest fire incidences but not yet submitted it and the investigation to identify whether it was manmade or natural disaster is still on.
“We have even made one arrest in this connection and search is on to find other culprit who could have possibly been responsible for the fires,” the CM added.
While explaining the steps taken to prevent such fire in future, the chief minister said that restriction has been put on entry of locals into the forest area and he has instructed police, forest and fire officials to take stern action against any person found putting fire in the forest areas.
“The fire department is well equipped and in fact the fire station in Panaji is a home ministry-recognised fire training centre. We have also planned to use services of 250 Aapda Mitras who are all trained in disaster management which could not be used this time. The frontline staff like forest guards will be given necessary training to combat such situation,” he said.
The Chief Minister in reply appreciated the fire department’s job but expressed resentment over forest department’s response which he said should have been quick to respond.
He allayed fears that the forests in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary have been purposely burnt to make way for developing, selling or leasing the land.
“No plot will be sold in forest area if anybody is selling or giving on lease then it should be intimidated to me, we will take action,” Sawant assured the House.
‘418 hectares of forest cover lost to fires’
Panaji: An estimated 418 hectares of forest cover was engulfed by fires this year, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the House on Tuesday.
In the last 5 years, 587 hectare area was affected by fire incidents. “418 hectares of area being affected by fire is an issue of concern,” asserted Rane. A total of 77 fires were doused in this month alone, as on date. From January 1, 2022 till December 2022, a total of 2,007 fire operations were undertaken by the state fire services department, the House was told in a written reply.