India, March 20 -- The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is stepping up security and fire prevention measures after a recent spate of forest fires and ongoing concerns over encroachments.

The SGNP has witnessed a series of forest fires at multiple locations inside the park over the past few days. "Over 350 security guards from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation will be deployed to secure the SGNP, particularly near the boundary wall. This is in addition to the 42 forest guards who manage over 4,200 hectares (10,000 acres) of SGNP under my jurisdiction," Kiran Patil, deputy director (South) told HT. He also said they are trying to involve more citizens in preventing fires in the national park.

Officials said several fire-prone s...