Pune: 15,000 Trees Destroyed in Warje’s Smriti Van Fire; Forest Department Plans Stringent Action

Warje, 28th November 2024: A series of devastating fires has ravaged the Smriti Van area of Warje, destroying over 15,000 trees across more than one hectare of forest land in the past 15 days. The most recent fire, which broke out on Monday, 25th November, scorched half a hectare of forest reserve, including thousands of newly planted saplings.

Smriti Van, hailed as a model urban forest in India, has been plagued by fires allegedly caused by individuals from nearby slums. A Forest Department investigation confirmed that the fires were man-made, and a case has been registered. One suspect was detained in connection with the incident, and officials suspect that the fires were an act of retaliation against the Forest Department’s anti-encroachment drives.

The forest, developed under a public-private partnership and designated as a model green belt by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change in 2020, had been protected by a six-foot boundary wall. However, the recurring fires have exposed vulnerabilities in safeguarding the area.

“On Monday, our team worked tirelessly to control the blaze. Unfortunately, four-foot-high trees, including 5,000 saplings planted in the last three years, were completely destroyed,” said Deepak Pawar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Pune Division.

Illegal encroachments and unauthorised activities in the forest area have been persistent issues. Officials revealed that locals frequently trespass into the reserve for parties and other activities, exacerbating risks to the forest ecosystem.

In response to the recent incidents, the Forest Department is planning to enhance security measures. “We intend to increase the height of the boundary wall to 10 or 11 feet and have proposed a budget of ₹80 lakh for the project. Additionally, we will request the appointment of four dedicated personnel to guard the area. A meeting with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is scheduled this week to finalise these measures,” Pawar added.

The destruction of Smriti Van has drawn attention to the urgent need for stricter enforcement and community engagement to protect urban forests, which are crucial for maintaining ecological balance in rapidly urbanising cities.