Forest fires in Melghat
after wreaking havoc in Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, forest fires have gone out of control in the Melghat region of Amravati district in Maharashtra. The most disturbing fact is the destruction of smaller herbs and shrubs, thereby causing massive damage to biodiversity. In a letter to the Union environment minister Suresh Prabhu, Bandu Sane of Khoj, a Maharashtra-based ngo , has demanded an immediate enquiry into the matter before the monsoon starts.
According to him, the unified control of Project Tiger Melghat ( ptm) in the area has resulted in a tussle between the territorial wing of the forest division and ptm . "It seems the department (both ptm and forest) did not have the funds to employ people for fire prevention and fighting. If this is true, then how can we expect the department to protect the forest, its wildlife and biodiversity, asks Sane.