PERNEM
A large number of cashew trees were destroyed in a fire at a plantation in Junaswaddo-Mandrem on Thursday.
The Pernem fire services found it difficult to gain access to the site and extensive property was destroyed in the fire.
According to locals, fire mishaps are on the rise in Pernem taluka.
A local, Tushar Govekar, said while no one knows who had set fire, the worst affected at the farmers who have extensive plantations in the area.
Added another local: “Many non-Goans have purchased land on the plateaus and hills and since the forest department does not easily give permission to cut trees, some allegedly set fire on dried grass in a bid to get clear the trees on their land.”
