In March this year, Ashok Athawale, a long term volunteer with SLTP partner NCSA, noticed an individual lighting a forest fire in Melghat and took timely action to extinguish it and promptly inform the authorities.
Observations by Ashok:
“While traveling from Semadoh to Harisal in Melghat, I noticed someone lighting a fire by the roadside and fleeing away. Considering the likely damage in tiger reserve, I immediately informed the local Forest Department Range Office. Further ahead near Kolkas, I spotted another freshly lit fire, which I extinguished right away without waiting for anyone. I saw that someone ahead had lit it and moved on, unaware that I was coming behind them to put it out. This miscreant was deliberately putting the forest on fire, maybe for some petty benefits. My appeal to all nature lovers traveling through Melghat, if you see such wildfires, please help extinguish them immediately. Such small efforts can prevent major damage.”
We thank Ashok for his timely intervention which helped prevent a possible large scale forest fire and in turn destruction of an important wildlife habitat.