Mumbai: Forest fire at Yeoor hill damages biodiversity

MUMBAI: A major forest fire had started at

Yeoor

hill, which is part of

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

(SGNP), on Friday afternoon. Forest officials put off the fire by 8.30 pm, but it caused damage to the

biodiversity

.


The SGNP director, Anwar Ahmed, told TOI: "The fire started towards Manpada in Yeoor in the evening hours, but it was extinguished by 8.30 pm. Tomorrow morning we can do a damage estimation."

Ahmed added that it is likely to be a man-made fire.

Local activists have reiterated that besides active patrolling by forest guards, the culprits who damage the natural biodiversity in forests must be severely punished.

"Earlier today, there was also a forest fire at Panvel taluka. Ten days ago too, there was a forest fire, which is always man made. This must be stopped before further damage is done, " said Navi Mumbai activist Anarjit Chauhan.

He added that just yesterday, various news organisations had reported about the death of newborn leopard cubs, after some locals started a fire in a farm in Maharashtra to kill a snake which was spotted there.

"The casual manner in which local villagers start fires or kill protected

wildlife

is only because the forest laws are not properly implemented to book the offenders," said Chauhan.