Minister Vishwajit Rane rules out declaring wildfire areas as NDZ
Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: The Opposition today alleged that the ‘man made’ forest fires were set to facilitate real estate lobbies, with authorities failing to take action against those involved in the destruction.
However, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane rubbished the charges while demanding to produce ‘proof’ to substantiate the claims.
Rane was replying to a question tabled by Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Ferreira on Government’s preparation on Forest Fire as it leads to reduction of density in trees & increase scope of land conversion by builders lobby.
“It is a myth that the forest fires were purposely put to help the Real Estate lobbies. Trackers are in place to check on the fire incidents in the forest areas,” said Rane.
He further said that the laws are very stringent when it comes to forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
“All the rules are being upheld. We will go by these laws, said Minister Rane responding to demands of LoP Yuri Alemao to declare wildfire-affected areas as No Development Zones.
He said entire forests of Goa are classified under Less Fire Prone category.
Goa Forest Department considers that Goa is one among the Global Biodiversity Hotspot with ecologically fragile ecosystem.
Rane said that all the forest area is given top most priority for forest fire prevention activities like awareness creation, empowering and engaging forest fringe village communities, creation of fire line, undertaking control burning etc.
“Fire risk zones are prepared based on the spatial analysis of decadal fire incidents data, based on recurrence forest fire in same area,” he added
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas says that in 2024 it is predicted that there will be forest fire due to rising heat & uncertain rainfall. Does Govt plans to draw firelines across forest regions as preventive measure?”
Velim MLA Cruz D’Silva questioned Forest Minister on Forest Fire & role of 350 Committee of fire fighters during last incidence.
Meanwhile, MLA Vijai Sardesaid questioned on the mismatch in ‘Man Made’ Goa forest fires data.
He claimed that there is no co-ordination between departments and demanded the assurance from Minister on no conversion of burnt forest areas.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Yuri Alemao said that Government has failed in preventing Forest Fire.
He also questioned Minister on preparedness if Forest Fire happen again and also demanded assurance to people of Goa that no construction will come in forest area.
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