A catastrophic forest fire wreaked havoc on Bopdev Ghat near the Kanifnath temple in Holkarwadi, engulfing more than 4,000 acres of forest land and resulting in the loss of approximately 2,500 trees. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, prompted swift action from local residents and forest department officials, who now suspect foul play and have lodged a police complaint.
The affected area comprises both privately owned land and government-owned territory, where the forest department’s social forestry division has undertaken extensive tree plantation efforts. The blaze, first reported around 11 p.m. by nearby residents witnessing towering flames on the hilltop, quickly spread across multiple stretches of the hills, prompting urgent intervention.
Upon receiving alerts, officers from the social forestry wing rushed to the scene and tirelessly battled the inferno using available tools and natural resources. Despite their valiant efforts lasting five grueling hours until the early hours of Tuesday morning, the fire’s ferocity inflicted significant damage, leaving locals stunned by the scale of destruction.
Residents recount witnessing one of the most devastating fires in recent memory, expressing concern for neighboring communities and wildlife habitats. Forest department officials suspect deliberate arson and have urged law enforcement to launch a thorough investigation into the incident.
Highlighting the challenges faced during firefighting efforts, forest officers emphasized the urgent need for additional manpower and resources to combat such calamities effectively. Acknowledging their limitations, the social forestry wing has called upon the public to support their endeavors during such crises.
In response to the tragic loss of trees, the forest department has announced plans to conduct extensive plantation drives and initiate soil replenishment efforts on affected government-owned land. Private landowners in the vicinity have also been alerted to the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the collective responsibility to safeguard precious forest ecosystems.
