Forest fires, also known as bush or vegetation fires or wildfires, have seen an increase in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, according to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). These uncontrolled combustions, burning plants in natural settings such as forests, grasslands, or tundras can be sparked by human activities like land clearing, extreme droughts, and occasionally lightning. For a wildfire to take place, three conditions must be present – fuel, oxygen, and a heat source. This article delves into the causes of forest fires, the challenges in dealing with them, and the necessary measures for their prevention.
Findings of the Study
The study revealed a ten-fold increase in forest fires in the past two decades and found that more than 62% of Indian states are susceptible to high-intensity forest fires. It was observed that Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra are among the states most prone to high-intensity forest fires due to climate change. Disturbingly, Mizoram has recorded the highest number of forest fire incidents in the last two decades, with over 95% of its districts being forest fire hotspots.
Remarkably, districts earlier prone to floods have now become drought-prone due to what the study terms a “swapping trend”, a direct result of climatic changes. Shockingly, over 75 % of Indian districts are extreme climate event hotspots, while more than 30 % are extreme forest fire hotspots.
Frequency of Incidences in the Northeast
Despite the majority of the Northeast Region (NER) being rain-fed, it is witnessing an upsurge in forest fire incidences due to increased dry spells occurring between March and May and an irregular rainfall distribution pattern.
Increase in Duration of Forest Fires
The duration of potential forest fires has also increased due to climate changes. Previously, forest fires were typical during the summer months (May and June). However, now they can occur during the spring months (March and May), extending the forest fire season to nearly six months.
Recent Data on Forest Fires
According to the 2019 Forest Survey of India report, 36 % of India’s forest cover lies in zones prone to forest fires. As of March 30, 2022, a total of 381 forest fires have been reported across the country with Madhya Pradesh topping the list at 133 recorded fires.
CEEW Recommendations for Mitigation
CEEW has proposed several recommendations to combat the growing issue of forest fires. One of the significant suggestions includes recognizing forest fires as natural disasters, thereby allotting necessary financial resources for their management under the National Disaster Management Authority. Other proposals include the development of a designated alert system for forest fires, enhancing adaptive capacity through targeted initiatives for district administrations and dependent communities, and provisioning clean air shelters equipped with air filters in public buildings for communities severely impacted by forest fires.
Existing Efforts Towards Mitigating Forest Fires
Since 2004, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has developed the Forest Fire Alert System to monitor forest fires in real-time using satellite information from NASA and ISRO. In addition, the National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF) 2018 and Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme are efforts focused towards forest fire prevention and management.
