Goa Forest Fire HIGHLIGHTS: CM Pramod Sawant Asks Officials To Register FIR Against Those Who Lit Fire
Follow the page for the live and latest updates on the Goa forest fire.
According to local media, the late-night fire at Chicalim, near the Church property, was doused by the locals and then the fire brigade.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant has ordered a probe into the raging forest fire in the state and has asked officials to register FIR against those who have deliberately lit the fire.
According to a TOI report, three fires were reported over 18 hours at different locations in Vasco, Goa.
The report added that a massive fire broke out at the hillock near MES College at around 6 pm on Thursday. The hill area near MES College is the site of mega-building projects.
The Forest Department in Goa has set up a 24-hour control room to monitor forests in real-time.
Goa commissions an investigation to find out what started fires at each place in the state. Indian Air Force and Navy are continuing their aerial help to contain and check any other incident of forest fire.
Forest minister Vishwajit Rane tweeted on Friday, "The number of active fires at 8 am, Today:
1.Satrem Parod – 1(minor)
2.Satrem Sidichikon -1(minor)
3.Krishnapur, Pendral beat-1
4.Sigao beat -1(minor)
5.Anmod ghat -1(minor)
6.Potrem beat, Netravali -1(minor)
7.Gurkhem, Dharbandora-Usgaon, Ponda-1."
Indian Air Force has deployed a Mi-17 helicopter to contain the flames of Goa forest fire that continues to burn for sixth day.
Background
The Indian Air Force on Thursday deployed one Mi-17 helicopter to contain the devastating Goa forest fire that rages for the sixth day. An official statement from the Air Force read, "On 07 March 23, a Mi 17 V5 helicopter of AF Stn Sulur carried out 'Bambi Bucket' operations to assist in extinguishing fire at Brahmapuram waste processing plant. Six shuttles were flown to the affected area from a nearby water reservoir and 10800 litres of water were dropped."
As per the release, as quoted by ANI, the Indian Air Force is coordinating with the Indian Navy and the civil administration in combating forest fires in the affected areas of the coastal state. The fire was first reported on March 5.
On March 8, Goa Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said that a detailed inquiry has been ordered into the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary fire.
"An inquiry was ordered after a discussion with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant," Rane tweeted.
He said, "Strict instructions are being given to the DCF, and orders are being issued to the deputy conservators of forests (DCFs) in various ranges in all the affected areas. Entry into the wildlife sanctuaries will be prohibited and people will also not be allowed to light wildfires."
"The RFOs and the forest guards posted in their respective areas will have to stay there 24/7 to monitor wildfires," he added.
He added, "I have instructed the DCF that his team will have to provide an explanation on what happens within the perimeters of a particular wildlife sanctuary."
It appears, prima facie, to be a man-made incident, the minister had stated.
Rane added, "The people responsible for this will be taken to task and suspended. In addition, I have given stern instructions that anybody found entering the wildlife sanctuary or putting a fire will be arrested under the Forest Act."
According to Deccan Herald, CM Pramod Sawant has ordered registering of FIR against those who lit the fire intentionally.
- - - - - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - - - - -