The Bandipur Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka, has recently been devastated by a raging fire. This incident has sparked deep concerns regarding long-term damage to the reserve’s ecosystem, which is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. The Biosphere is often celebrated for hosting the globe’s largest tiger population, which surpassed 575 according to the 2014 census.
India’s Zero Forest Fire Policy
The forest policy in India highly promotes a zero forest fire approach towards protecting its landscapes. This policy includes the Bandipur Tiger Reserve as well as the rainforests found in the upper Western Ghats. However, this sweeping approach of complete prohibition of fire incidents may inadvertently harm dry, deciduous forests. These are ecosystems where trees have evolved and adapted over time to coexist with fire.
The Cause of The Fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
The 2018 monsoon season was notably intense, leading to dense vegetation growth. However, the anticipated northeast monsoon at year-end did not occur. This has resulted in the forests becoming dry and susceptible to fire, especially in the face of scorching heat from September onwards. It is widely believed that the ignition point for Bandipur’s fire was due to human activity.
Effects of Forest Fires: A Double-Edged Sword
While forest fires might initially appear destructive, they can serve beneficial purposes within certain ecological systems. For instance, in dry, deciduous forests, adult tree mortality is notably low when fires occur regularly. Many saplings spring up soon after a fire, reestablishing the original state of the ecosystem within a few years. However, suppression of fires, including the prevention of tribal fire burning practices, accumulates greater biomass. This, in turn, contributes to high-intensity fires which negatively impact the ecosystem.
| Incident | New Growth | Ecosystem Re-establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Fires | Saplings spring up soon after fire | A few years |
| Fire Suppression | Biomass builds up | High-intensity fires negatively impact the ecosystem |
Forest Fires as A Means of Curbing Invasive Species
Further to their role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, forest fires can also aid in controlling invasive species. The tribal communities exiled from the tiger reserves in Karnataka previously practiced small scale litter fires before the onset of the dry season. This practice has been discontinued due to fire suppression efforts, leading to the prevalence of invasive plant species. Among the invasive species that have thrived, the notables are lantana camara, which is native to America, and the parasitic shrub known as Hairy Mistletoe. These invasive plants now face little to no competition, effectively disrupting the balance within the ecosystem.