Forest Fire: A Growing Concern in Raigad, Need Fire Brigade Unit at Poladpur

 Raigad: In the Poladpur taluka, the incidence of forest fires is escalating, sparking concern. In the aftermath of a recent fire outbreak at a cowshed in Loharmal village on April 1, authority seemingly overlooked the severity of the situation. The urgent need for a fire suppression mechanism in Poladpur taluka has been underscored, evident from the deployment of two fire extinguishers to combat a banyan tree blaze. Each summer witnesses a spike in forest fire incidents in Poladpur taluka, with reports ranging from two to four cases, often impacting livestock shelters or residential dwellings.

  Recent months have witnessed a direct hit on cattle sheds due to forest fires, leading to substantial loss of livestock and fodder. In Loharmal, villagers have noted a glaring absence of government support during fire crises. Sarpanch Pradeep Surve made attempts to alert the authorities on April 1 regarding the cowshed inferno in Loharmal village, seeking immediate assistance from the fire department. 

  However, on account of April Fools' Day, government personnel initially hesitated to respond swiftly, fearing prank calls. Upon eventual arrival at the scene, they cited a lack of coordination, citing their inability to reach the Mahad Municipal Council or the Mahad MIDC fire brigade due to missing contact details.

   On this particular occasion, as the cattle were rescued from the blazing cow shed, villagers witnessed with dismay as the raging inferno consumed them. A venerable banyan tree situated near the residence of the esteemed artist, Pramod Anant Dixit, found itself ablaze post 4:30 pm. Promptly summoned, the fire brigade from Mahad MIDC swiftly quenched the flames with a fire extinguisher. Yet, as darkness descended, the banyan tree reignited, prompting the fire brigade of Mahad Nagar Council to rush to the scene. Dousing the tree with water, they successfully extinguished the blaze for a second time.

 However, the stubborn banyan tree persisted in burning through the night, leading Pramod Dixit to formally informed to the Morgiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch, Tehsildar, Public Work Department Sub-Division, and Poladpur Police Station by 11 am the following day. The looming threat of a potential road closure on the Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar route due to an anticipated surge in tourist vehicles on Saturday, should the tree collapse, stirred concerns of traffic congestion and potential hazards to life if a vehicle were to be struck by a falling tree or branch. 

    Noteworthy is the acquisition of a water-shooting machine by the Poladpur Nagar Panchayat Revenue Office four years ago, capable of reaching heights exceeding 100 feet. 

     Regrettably, this equipment remained untapped in subsequent emergencies, raising questions about the readiness and competence of the fire-fighting personnel within the Poladpur Nagar Panchayat, underscoring the urgent necessity for their presence and preparedness in such exigent situations.

By Shailesh Palkar

Senior Journalist

Editor Samuel Navkar