Fire engulfs hillock near Chapoli dam

CANACONA

A huge fire engulfed a hillock at Chapoli, a few kilometres from the Chapoli dam in Canacona.

According to Fire Services, the fire tender has been placed along a nearby road, as it could not gain access to the site of the fire.

Fire sources informed that fire could be seen from the hills towards Chapoli dam even from the highway. Firefighters went to the site and found out that the fire is raging somewhere deep in the jungle. They stationed a fire tender on the nearest road awaiting directions for further course of action, informed sources.

Sources said the fire could be seen from the highway at Char-Rasta, some kilometres away behind the Power Station.

According to local residents, the fire is seen raging at two different spots at the hill.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari, who was present near the site, said it will not be possible for fire tenders to reach the site as there is no road access at all.

“The only possibility to douse the fire is through aerial firefighting operations. I request the Sought Goa collector, deputy collector and state disaster management to seek the services of a helicopter to extinguish the fire at the Chapoli hillock,” said Bhandari.

Suspecting sabotage in the forest fire, Bhandari said this is the second fire in Chapoli, but added that no one was aware about the actual cause of the fire.

“I am concerned that forests are being destroyed and we don't know why it happens and who is involved in this. We have never ever encountered such fire incidents in forested areas,” said Bhandari.

When asked if he suspected anyone to be behind the fire, Bhandari replied: “People are aware about what is happening in Canacona these days.”

“I am getting calls that illegal tree-felling incidents have taken place in various areas. We have lodged complaints in this regard. We suspect some unscrupulous elements are trying to destroy evidence, such burning and destroying even the roots of illegally fallen trees.,” said Bhandari.

“There are also other possibilities that someone is trying to clear the forests and later get those areas zones changed. Once trees or vegetation is not present, it becomes easy to change the zones from forest to settlement or other. People are suspecting such issues could also be the reason for these unprecedented fires,” Bhandari added.