Goa has been facing crises for the past seven days. There is a fire raging through the state’s forest area in the Western Ghats — a hotspot for different species of flora and fauna. This has endangered more than five thousand flowering plants, five hundred birds, over one hundred and thirty mammals, and one hundred and seventy amphibians. A lot of damage to be honest! And despite various efforts by the authorities to stop this fire, it is still spreading through the forest area of Goa.
Raging Fire In Goa!
The fire that is raging in the state has been difficult to extinguish. But the authorities are working to quench it. According to Goa’s Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane, the topography includes steep inclines and remote areas that are difficult to reach. But firefighters and forest officials are trying their best. This has been a tedious task as the Navy and Air Force helicopters remain grounded for maintenance. He further said that they have submitted an update on the situation to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
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The Forest Minister has requested the Sisaster Management Cell to mobilise additional people in order to fight this fire. He stated that he spoke with the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA). And has been assured that there will be additional deployment of manpower in critical areas to quench the fire.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
The Chief Minister of Goa said that the government has a suspicion that this was a man-made fire. The forest areas are restricted to carry out any fire-related activities and therefore, no one is permitted to go into the jungle. He also stated that there will be strict actions taken against those who started this fire. He spoke about how the firefighters and forest officials are trying their best to put out the fire.
Currently, there are eleven flames in the forest and more than five hundred people are working to douse them. The fire has been active for almost a week. Though it is reducing, there is no answer to when it will go off.
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Though a similar situation had occurred in the past, this time, the fire is spreading to remote areas.
Cover Image Courtesy: Vishwajit Rane/ Twitter