Home secretary asked to probe forest fire: Kadam

Maharashtra environment minister Ramdas Kadam on Thursday said the state home secretary has been asked to probe the massive fire, which erupted near the Aarey Colony forest in suburban Goregaon last Monday. Kadam added there have been chopped trees found in the area where the fire erupted and thus there are suspicions that the incident could have been pre-planned.

Kadam was speaking to PTI on Thursday, after visiting the area, where fire destroyed trees and vegetation in an area of about 3-4 kms.

“I saw that the whole area has been fenced with a wall so that no outsiders can enter. So, the question that arises is how did this fire erupt? I also saw that trees had been purposefully chopped off, after which, the fire either erupted by itself or there was mischief,” Kadam told PTI.

Kadam said the police has been asked to conduct a probe into this and that he has also written to the state Home secretary to conduct a detailed probe. “Whatever has to come out of the probe will be out, however, prima facie, the fire seems suspicious. I am gathering more information on the area, however, when I asked for a map, there was none available. Therefore, how did they fence the area in the absence of documents?” he asked.

Kadam further said the trees inside the compound wall in a specific belt have been destroyed, while vegetation outside the compound, which belongs to the forest department was unharmed. The minister further said he will submit a detailed report over the fire to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the next cabinet meeting.

The blaze had erupted on Monday near the Aarey Colony forest, triggering an alarm as various agencies scrambled to douse the flames that threatened to affect the tribal residents in the city's biggest green lung.

Mumbai's famous Film City occupies part of the colony, which is located off the Western Express Highway. The fire tenders took about six hours to douse the flames which were aided by winds coming from the hills.

Whatever has to come out of the probe will be out, however, prima facie, the fire seems suspicious. I am gathering more information on the area, however, when I asked for a map, there was none available — RAMDAS KADAM, Environment Minister