Yeoor Hills, situated in Thane, Maharashtra, within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), provide a tranquil and verdant retreat that is well-known for hiking, birdwatching, and nature walks. Renowned for their rich biodiversity and picturesque trails, these hills can be easily accessed near Tikuji-ni-Wadi or Upvan Lake, offering a swift escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Every year when the season change from winter to summer (March & April) there is extreme heat and very less humidity, combined this with winds results in Fire in the jungle of Yeoor Hills. Strong winds and mountainous terrain help fires spread rapidly across large areas. In remote forests, it is often difficult for firefighters to reach the location quickly, allowing fires to grow larger. There is no way to stop the fire as there is no vehicular access to many zones in forest. Every year Yeoor Hills or Sanjay Gandhi National park burns for many days. It pollutes the air with smoke and ash from the burning trees.
Forest fires cause serious environmental and social damage:
- Destruction of wildlife habitats
- Loss of trees and biodiversity
- Increase in air pollution and smoke
- Soil degradation and reduced fertility
- Threats to nearby villages and forest-dependent communities