Panaji:The raging blaze in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary has worried the State government which ordered an inquiry into the incident suspecting foul.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane rushed to Morlem late last night to hold an emergency meeting with the forest and police officials after the recurring forest fires.
The Forest department has deployed deputy and assistant conservators of forests across forest ranges to report the recurrence of fires on an hourly basis. “If fire spread is seen due to considerable time lapse in containing it, officers posted will be held personally responsible. Strict instructions are been given to the DCF, orders are been issued to post DCFs in various ranges in all the areas. Entry into the wildlife sanctuaries will be prohibited, people will not be allowed to put wildfires,” Rane said.
The Range Forest Officers and forest guards are posted in their respective areas with directions to stay there 24/7 to monitor wildfires.
Rane further instructed the DCF that his team will be responsible and will have to explain whatever happens in the perimeters of the wildlife sanctuary.
“We will not allow destruction of the Mhadei forest, it is a collective responsibility of the department as well as the citizens of the state to protect and conserve the wildlife,” he added.
The uncontrolled fire in the protected sanctuary has raised many eyebrows though the increase in temperature is also attributed to the sudden blaze.
Indian Navy has been pressed to service to ensure the fire does not spread in the vicinity that could harm the wild animals and birds.
“A major fire was reported in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday. Upon request by District Administration, Indian Navy Dornier from INS Hansa undertook survey of the area and localised the fire,” the IN said in its tweet on Tuesday.
While State fire fighters are working round the clock to bring the situation under control, IN flew fire fighting equipment from Naval Units based at Kochi and Mumbai. “Multiple sorties for fighting fire were undertaken by Seaking aircraft of Indian Navy in bad weather. Fire was systematically contained to large extent jointly with forest department &local population,” it said.
