When two top leaders in the government point towards sabotage, arson and mischief behind the forest fires at Sattari, there is a sense and a belief that there could be more than what meets the eye. But when there are only warnings and no credible action against perpetrators or suspects, one wonders about the hollowness of such charges. A good five days later, there is no case registered, even as leaders held steadfast to their claims as flames engulfed new areas of Sattari, destroying plantations, biodiversity and animal habitat.
Ironically, there are two theories put forth to explain the fire. One is by environmental experts and the Indian Meteorological Department, which blame it on the temperature rise along with a dip in relative humidity levels. The second argument comes from the political class. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane squarely blame 'miscreants', saying that the Sattari fire is a man-made disaster and sabotage.
First, the weather narrative. High temperatures and lower relative humidity levels can result in an elevated risk of forest fires. The chances of fire are highest during the afternoon when temperatures peak. Add to this sustained winds that can exacerbate fire behaviour.
The argument that the heat conditions in the State triggered the fires baffles the mind because Goa has witnessed worse weather conditions in the past, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees and relative humidity levels dropping drastically to fire-danger levels. The fires that the State is witnessing are unprecedented in a summer that has just set in.
Secondly, the charge of "man-made disaster" sounds absurd because the fires are not restricted to a particular area but have been spread across five to six spots situated apart from one another. Moreover, there are fires on hills at Cortalim and Sanguem too.
While making a direct charge, Sawant and Rane must come clean and book those behind the fires, or they must explain what stops them from initiating action. Statements like those have ramifications that can trigger animosity between villagers and ring in a new narrative of vengeance centered around burning forest property, besides, sparking off fabricated and distorted debates linked to projects.
Instead of triggering a blame game and playing on suspicion, the government must intensify fire-fighting and draw up plans to guard against further escalation of fires. The Disaster Management teams met nearly a week after the first fire at Satrem. The laid-back attitude towards disasters tells the story, and the complete lack of urgency showed for the first three days, with leaders holding on exclusively to the theory of sabotage.
Forest fires may not have been on the disaster management agenda; till now, it was only about flooding and cyclones. Currently, forest fires have become a burning issue that can't be ignored even for a day. The government machinery must be activated to the fullest and surveillance intensified. And senior leaders must stop making statements that they cannot explain.
