Need Van Mitras to stop forest fires, policy to punish offenders: Mumbai-based activist writes to Maha CM

Repeated fires don’t give saplings a chance to grow. File pic

To stop, reduce and prevent forest fires in the state, a city-based green activist has written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urging him to create a network of ‘Van Mitras' (friends of the forest) in each forest circle.

In the letter environmentalist Stalin D of NGO Vanashakti has requested the CM for his intervention in adopting innovative and effective steps to curb the instances of forest. The incidents of forest fires in forest patches near Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other parts of the state are reported frequently during the summer months. However, it has been observed that most instances of fire are man-made.

Reward

NGO Vanashakti has suggested measures to be adopted to stem the damage caused every year. "The Deputy Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer of the circle should be given funds to reward informers who give credible information about the culprits who start these fires. The rewards may range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the location and extent of the fires. The ecological loss needs to be calculated, not the value of timber as presently done. In tiger sanctuaries, it needs to be valued higher than in reserve forests. The mechanism for arriving at the ecological loss can be made using the experts and if called upon, we will happily give our inputs on the same," Stalin said.

He added, "Announce cash awards, certificates and felicitation of Range Forest Officers who keep forests under their control fire-free or minimum damage." he further added. The letter also urges to craft a legislation ‘Maharashtra Prevention of Forest Fires' under which imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 2 years is mandated for convicted offenders.

Immediate restoration

Another suggestion is to have an online system that shows the details of forest fires, location, date and extent of the damage. Tentative estimation of the ecological loss may also be shown online.

"Immediate restoration of the forest should be undertaken and this cost also should be levied on the persons who caused the damage but the funds for restoration should be made available to the Range Forest Officer who will ensure that the site is restored. Alternatively, CSR funding or participation for this activity may be approved," Stalin said.

Stalin has also appealed that forest staff should be provided with small water tankers, modern fire fighting equipment and high range communication equipment. "Every RFO should have at least one if not two mini water tankers under his command 24x7 and fire hydrants to be created near or inside the forest for rapid refilling of water tankers in an emergency," the letter states.

The NGO had earlier demanded the authorities to restart the defunct fire station inside Aarey Colony.

Water scarcity

It may be noted that Aarey forests have seen more than 17 fires this year alone. Due to these fires, the saplings do not get the chance to grow and the old trees are burnt down. It is also believed that if this continues unabated, the groundwater situation, rivers and water security of the state will be seriously threatened. The state is already facing water scarcity.

17
No. of fire incidents reported in Aarey forests this year alone