Aarey forest fires now a big threat to city’s security: Activists

A notice put up by Force One on the fire at Chafyachapada

Unchecked fires inside Aarey Milk Colony are not just harming the biodiversity in the green zone, but also damaging the firing range of Force One, the state's elite anti-terror unit. There have been 10-15 forest fires inside Aarey in the past two weeks, said activists. Anti-social elements trying to grab land are behind these fires, they assert. There were over 50 such fires in Aarey and its vicinity last year.

Alarmed by the repeated fires, Force One authorities have put up a notice on their premises highlighting the dangers. "It has been observed that in the firing range within the jurisdiction of Force One, someone is deliberately lighting up fires. The fire poses a threat to the government property and people residing within the jurisdiction. Due to a recent fire, a section of the firing range suffered damage," reads the notice.

The notice says that Force One has filed a complaint at the Aarey police station. "Lighting up fires in the forest is an offence and action will be taken against those who are found to be responsible for the same, adds the notice installed near Chafyachapada tribal hamlet at Force One.

Range Forest Officer Dinesh Desale from Sanjay Gandhi National Park told mid-day, "We have also received information that some anti-social elements are involved in torching the forest patch in Aarey Milk Colony. Our staff and fire watchers have personally doused several fires in the last couple of weeks. We have also increased patrolling in the area and strict action will be taken against those responsible." Rich in flora and fauna, the Aarey colony sees forest fires between February to May, but the numbers have sharply risen in the past few years, say activists.

As per NGO Empower Foundation, the situation has worsened post-Covid. The non-profit has independently documented 11 forest fires in Aarey, Royal Palms and Bombay Veterinary College-Goregaon East so far this year. There were over 50 such fires last year, it said.