PONDA
Forest fires along the Borim-Bethora bypass road have continued for the sixth day, with officials still unclear on the possible cause of the fire.
The forest teams and the fire brigade have been struggling to control the fire, ever since it first started on April 30 and nine fire tenders have been used in the operations so far.
Speaking to The Goan, Deputy Conservator of Forest Milind Karkhanis said they are aware of fire incidents in the forest area.
“Fire brigades can’t reach in the forested area. Hence, we have deployed persons who beat down the fire with green branches. Otherwise, it is not possible to bring the fire under control,” Karkhanis said.
Asked if they would lodge a police complaint in this regard, he replied in the negative. “I don’t think that someone has deliberately done it. May be, someone may have thrown a cigarette butt and this may have caused the fire,” he said.
To another query on whether the trees had been destroyed in the fire, Karkhanis replied: “This is a ground fire and hence, there is no damage to trees.”
However, a Ponda fire official said that forest officials should take serious note of the fire incidents.
“We have informed these incidents to the forest office and they need to take measures. We extinguish the fire wherever our vehicles can reach the spot. It is not possible for us to enter the forest area with a fire tender and hence they (forest officials) should take some precautions,” said Gil Souza, Ponda fire officer, while speaking to The Goan.
“Since the last six days, people have been informing them about the incidents and hence, the forest officials should take the matter very seriously.”
Souza informed that around nine fire tenders have been used to douse the fire till Thursday.
