Since November, around 100 forest fires have taken place in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). However, the difference now is that the villagers are well aware that the forest officials must be informed immediately to prevent them from spreading. This about turn in approach is the result of the authorities’ poster campaign that was aimed at creating awareness amongst villagers on how fires can be prevented.
“What happened till now was that villagers, fearing action against them, were scared to bring the fires to our notice. We have worked towards changing this perception and instead made them aware that they can help us in controlling the fires by not letting it spread over the dry foliage,” said Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forest and director of SGNP.
The forest department officials and volunteers visited all the villages and padas to rope in their support and ensure effective fire fighting as the fires generally start due to the villagers throwing lighted matchsticks and beedis on the dry leaves and grass.
The villagers now contact the forest guards or control room, who then sends the team to the site of the fire.
“Frequent fires begin in the month of November and reaches its peak in April. Thereafter, as not much of dry foliage is left, even the number of incidents start coming down,” said Mr Limaye.
There were plans to set up mobile signal towers at a few locations inside the park where the network is weak, but it is yet to materialise. Had the project been completed, it would have supplemented in better communication system during emergencies.