Pune : Fire Engulfs Mohammadwadi’s Forest Area On NIBM Road, 200-250 Trees Burnt

On February 22nd, a devastating incident shook the Anandvan Foundation’s volunteers in Pune as raging flames engulfed three forest areas, resulting in the destruction of approximately 200-250 trees.

Bhupesh Sharma, a member of the foundation, expressed his dismay, suggesting the possibility of deliberate ignition. The fires erupted simultaneously in two locations within the NIBM area and one in Mohammadwadi.

#Pune : Fire Engulfs Mohammadwadi’s Forest Area On NIBM Road, 200-250 Trees Burnt#fire #Mohammadwadi #NIBMRoad #forest https://t.co/H9sW86FMy6 pic.twitter.com/Vv96icrwUc

— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) February 24, 2024

Sharma remarked, “The scale of the fire was unprecedented, hampering firefighting efforts despite the presence of well-maintained trees. It took considerable time and resources, including support from the forest department, fire brigade, and our volunteers, to extinguish the flames across all three sites.”

In a plea to the public, Anandvan Foundation emphasized the collective responsibility to preserve urban forests, urging citizens to contribute to the conservation efforts.

Suresh Varak, RFO Pune, commended the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in combating the blaze but conceded uncertainty regarding its cause.

Rahul Bandal, a firefighter from the PMC Fire Department, recounted the challenging task of quelling the infernos, highlighting the swift response and coordinated action that eventually brought the situation under control within 30 minutes for each fire.

Shreyas Vange