Goa Khabar:A serious case of deliberate forest fire has been reported in Bardez taluka, following which the Forest Department has submitted a Supplementary First Information Report (FIR) before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Mapusa.
As per official information from the Office of the Range Forest Officer, Panaji Range, the incident involves the intentional setting of fire to trees in a private forest area located at Survey No. 29/1-C in Pomburpa village. The affected area spans approximately 35,395 square metres and the act has been classified as a cognizable offence under the law.
The offence is considered a violation of Section 8 of the Goa Preservation of Trees Act, 1984. The case has been verified and recorded in connection with an earlier offence registered on April 23, 2026, by the Forest Department.
The FIR names two property owners, Shri Jonnalagodda Sridhar Reddy, also known as Sridhar Reddy J., and Shri Jonnalagodda Praveen. Both are residents of Miryalguda in Nalgonda district of Telangana.
The supplementary FIR was submitted by Forest Guard Ashish Ambre on April 27 at around 10:30 AM and has been forwarded for judicial perusal. Authorities have stated that the case may be treated under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and further legal proceedings will follow.
The incident has raised serious environmental concerns, as deliberate destruction of forest areas poses a significant threat to Goa’s ecological balance. Officials are expected to carry out further investigation to assess the full extent of damage and determine the motive behind the act.
