Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: It is evident now that Fire Mafia is once again activated and their hand is suspected in huge fires at Paroda Hills in Cuncolim Constituency & Chapoli Dam Area in Canacona. Government Machinery is helpless to control these fires. I once again demand High Level Inquiry under Retired High Court Judge to probe cause of these fires destroying Green Cover of Goa, demanded Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
It is shocking that Government did not take any steps to prevent such fires in eco sensitive & forest areas despite incidents of huge fires in Goa in February and March which destroyed trees, vegetations and paddy fields almost in all talukas of Goa, pointed Yuri Alemao.
I had raised the issue in last Assembly Session and had warned the Government of Fire Mafia operating in Goa to convert Green Areas into Concrete Jungles. I had also urged Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane to appoint a High Level Committee under Retired High Court Judge to investigate into the fire incidents in Goa, stated Yuri Alemao.
I have got replies to various Legislative Assembly Questions which clearly expose that Government is totally ill prepared to handle, control & manage fire incidents in eco-sensitive areas. Forest Minister and BJP Government is only giving assurances without any action plan in place, Yuri Alemao said.
I was at Paroda till late night and spoke to Forest Officials as well as South Goa Collector. All of them showed their limitations as Disaster Management Cell itself is weak in Goa, stated Yuri Alemao.
These fires cannot be termed as isolated incidents. There is a systematic game plan to destroy green cover with an eye on the land to be used for real estate. We need to wake up now and remain vigilant, said Yuri Alemao.
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