MARGAO
A massive fire has engulfed the Navelim-Dicarpale hillock for the last 24 hours, believed to have destroyed the rich bio-diversity, including plant and animal life.
As the fire has still not been brought under control, member of the Navelim Bio-diversity Management Committee, Eleuterio Carneiro has made an appeal to the district authorities, including the district Collector, to rope in the services of the Coast Guard in the fire fighting operations.
The fire was first spotted on Saturday evening. A team of Margao fire brigade led by Fire officer Gill D’Sa rushed to Navelim late Saturday at around 11 pm. The team is believed to have returned to the fire station only at around 6 am on Sunday.
Locals, however, pointed out that the fire continued unabated on the hillock. A fire tender was rushed to the site on Sunday evening again.
Fire Officer Gill D’Sa said the fire has occurred on the hilltop, thus ruling out the possibility of taking the fire tender on the hillock. He said a team of forest officials had also descended at the site late Saturday.
Meanwhile, Navelim Bio-diversity Management Committee member Eleuterio told The Goan that the Navelim-Dicaparle-Drampaur hill range plays host to rich biodiversity. “We have come across reptiles and lizards falling prey to the fire. We have seen eagles lifting the reptiles from the hillock this morning,” he said.
Saying the fire has been raging on the hillock for the last 24 hours, Eleutorio said he has informed the district Collector to rope in the services of the coastal guard to use water from above to bring the fire under control.
