PANAJI
The State government’s inquiry into the cause of the raging fires in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary remains inconclusive even a month after its outbreak. This lack of clarity raised concerns among the opposition benches, who demanded a House Committee to investigate the matter.
“We haven’t received a report to determine if the wildfires were man-made or due to natural causes,” the CM said in reply to Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai’s pointed question about whether the State suspects foul play.
The ruling and the Opposition benches came together to discuss the issue as MLA Ulhas Tuenkar raised Calling Attention on the second day of the Legislative Assembly citing fear and anxiety among the people regarding forest fires from Canacona to Sattari and Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
“There are mountainous forest areas which are inaccessible to firefighters, where fire trucks cannot reach. It becomes very difficult for firefighters to control fires in such areas as the fires spread in an uncontrolled way and this results in delays in putting out the fire...Steps the government intends to take to find remedy to the situation…” he further said.
While the House applauded efforts by the local populace and the agencies to douse the flames, the Opposition also sought clarity on the government’s claim that there is no mass destruction of flora and fauna.
“Large portion of our forest belt has been lost and it is permanently damaged. I believe it will take more than 100 years to get replenished,” Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said during the discussion that lasted for nearly two hours.
Claiming he is not satisfied with the government’s reply, he demanded an unbiased probe such as a committee headed by a retired Judge as well as investigation of the fire-hit areas by a separate team.
Alemao was backed by Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai and Aam Aadmi Party's Venzy Viegas who demanded a House Committee.
“Where is the report on the spate of fire incidents? A House Committee should be formed to investigate wildfires wherein experts are brought on board,” Sardesai demanded.
MLA Aleixo Lourenco too did not shy away from questioning intentions behind the sudden fires and unsatisfactory action into the probe. “There is no clarity about fires in particular forest areas. Is something stopping them (forest officials)? How can the department claim no loss? There must be something wrong with their new books,” he said.
Act is stringent: Rane
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane told the House that The Wildlife Protection Act is a stringent law to prohibit entry into the protected areas. He was replying to repeated demands by the Opposition to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as no development zone, which bans any developmental projects.
The minister also assured the House to book the miscreants as directions are already given to the police, forest and fire officials. “The Act is itself so strong that a person cannot enter….If you think it is a mischievous act, the person/s will face FIR and jail,” he said.
The department, he said, will also share an ongoing plan for afforestation of the fire-hit patches in the sanctuary and other forest areas.
