PANAJI
With temperatures soaring to 36-37°C and humidity levels remaining high, the Forest Department has intensified its efforts to monitor and prevent forest fires through the real-time data from the Forest Survey of India’s (FSI) Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS).
Officials are racing to prevent a repeat of the fire incidents that engulfed forests exactly two years ago on March 5, 2023. The disaster, spanning 15 days, saw 95 fire incidents turning the green cover into ash.
Nodal Forest Officer (Fire) Nandakumar Parab said that despite the high risk given the soaring temperatures, only 2-3 minor fire incidents have been reported so far, all of which were quickly brought under control.
“We are receiving real-time alerts through the Forest Survey of India app. We have had a few fire incidents; they were minor and doused immediately. Our officials and guards are keeping a 24/7 watch,” he said, speaking to The Goan.
The department has also set up 5-6 watchtowers in each wildlife area to ensure continuous monitoring.
In addition to surveillance, the department has set up a round-the-clock control room (1926 helpline) in Panaji. Cashew farmers, whose plantations are located on the fringes of forest areas, are also being made aware of fire risks, especially as the harvesting season is underway.
Just two days ago, a forest fire at Orgao-Tivrem was prevented from spreading further after 50 fire personnel including 20 new recruits were deployed from Kundaim, Ponda and the headquarters in Panaji. Fire tenders from these stations were used to contain the flames.
Fire Director Nitin Raiker confirmed that all fire stations are on high alert. “This is the season when fires can break out suddenly in dry grasslands and forested areas. Our teams are prepared and coordinating with all stakeholders to respond immediately,” Raiker said.
Goa has been witnessing quite a few fire incidents daily with nearly 300 fire calls recorded in the past fortnight.
Last year, strict preventive measures helped limit forest fire cases to 11, which were controlled immediately. This year, with early precautions in place, only 2-3 minor incidents have been reported so far.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD-Goa) put the State on yellow alert till Wednesday with 34.2°C recorded on Tuesday, a drop after several days of ‘appreciably above normal’ temperature.
