Forest fire on Goa border brought under control

Belagavi: A forest fire raging in the Goa region of the Western Ghats, just 20km away from the Karnataka border, has been brought under control. The Goa authorities controlled the fire, after a battle of 11 days. However, the fire has damaged a large area in the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Karnataka-Goa border.The forest officials of Belagavi are closely monitoring the situation, and took several preventive measures, so that the fire doesn’t spread across the border. Officials have also set up teams in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, and areas bordering Goa.There were no major fires reported on the Karnataka side of the Western Ghats. Sporadic incidents of ground fire were reported in the western parts of Khanapur taluk bordering Goa, since last week. However, no major damage was reported, as the fire was doused immediately.“There is no threat of the fire spreading, as it has been brought under control. However, we have been monitoring the situation closely, as it’s just 20km from the border. We have taken preventive measures like drawing a fire line, by burning the stretch along the border, and setting up teams to douse the fire, and creating awareness among villagers living near the forest and in tandas, especially the Gavali community that lives in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Harsha Bhanu, deputy conservator of forests (DCF), Belagavi.According to the DCF, there has been no rain since November last year, due to which the grass and bushes dried up, resulting in the fire spreading fast. He added, “We are creating awareness among the Gavali community on wildfires, and taking a pledge from them, not to set the forest on fire, and destroy the ecology. We are getting a good response to our initiative. Moreover, the Mahadayi River and its tributaries have beeb a blessing in preventing the fire from spreading into Karnataka,” he said.According to Rakesh, range forest officer (RFO) of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Anti-Poaching Camps (APC) have been deployed in the vulnerable area, and they have been equipped with fire dousing equipment and water.On Friday last week, Karnataka forest officials held a joint meeting along with the officials of the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, and discussed measures to control the fire.