The Ecological Park in Laharpur, a sprawling green expanse under the Forest Department, was once again engulfed in flames on Tuesday afternoon—marking the second major fire incident in just 18 days. The blaze, which ignited around 1 PM in piles of garbage scattered across the park, rapidly spread and charred hundreds of trees and plants, severely damaging the park’s natural landscape.
Fire tenders from nearby stations rushed to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control after significant efforts. The fire spread dangerously close to the rear boundaries of nearby residential areas, prompting local residents to step in with buckets and pots of water to contain the flames, narrowly averting a disaster.
Spanning over 1,500 hectares, the Ecological Park is a popular destination for thousands of morning and evening visitors drawn to its serene greenery. However, its appeal is increasingly being marred by recurring fire incidents, mostly triggered by garbage and dry stubble left unattended.
Tuesday’s fire, like the previous one on March 22, was reportedly fueled by waste dumped indiscriminately across the park. Residents have long complained that neither the Municipal Corporation nor the Forest Department has taken meaningful action to clear the garbage or implement fire-prevention measures. The neglect, they say, continues year after year, especially during the high-risk summer season.
Locals from surrounding areas—including Bagh Mugalia Extension, Katara Hills, Laharpur, Asaram Nagar, Global Park City, Amaltas Apartments, Ramayan City, Vivekanand Complex, and Gaurishankar Kaushal Campus—have expressed growing concern over the increasing frequency of such incidents. With the fire hazard rising in tandem with soaring temperatures, residents are urging authorities to implement immediate and effective interventions to protect the park and ensure the safety of nearby communities.
Criticism has mounted against the Forest Department and the Municipal Corporation for their failure to monitor the park and prevent such avoidable disasters.
