Massive Fire Breaks Out Near Mumbai’s Aarey Colony Forest, No Casualty Reported

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) region has a variety of big and small wildlife including leopards, peacocks, deers, hogs, besides a variety of insects, birds and plant life.

MUMBAI: A massive fire erupted in the forests of Aarey Colony in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) precincts, near Goregaon suburb of north-west Mumbai, here on Monday evening, officials said.The fire was reported at 6.21 pm on Monday.

Aarey forest is Mumbai’s biggest green patch and has been under the scanner as the government wants to clear it for constructing high-rise buildings.

However, Adivasis and cattle were evacuated from the forest area and the disaster control room officials confirmed that no casualties were reported till late evening.

Mumbai’s famous Film City occupies part of the Colony, which is located off the Western Express Highway.The blaze was noticed on one of the forested hills in Habalpada, near the famed Film City, and it quickly spread to an estimated 4 km area.

Teams of the Forest Department, Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies were battling the blaze amidst fears that it could take a severe toll on rich the flora and fauna in the region.

Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale said the blaze was brought under control with the help of branches of trees put together to create a barrier.

 

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