In March 2023, the Goa Forest Department implemented an inquiry into prevailing bushfires. The news is that these fires were predominantly triggered by natural causes. An ideal environment, extreme weather conditions, including insufficient rainfall in the previous season, remarkably high temperatures, and decreased moisture and humidity, contributed to these fires. A significant lack of rain since October 2022, together with heat-wave-like conditions and low humidity, facilitated the likelihood of forest fires in Goa.
Anatomy of Goa’s Forest Fire
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), all of Goa’s forest cover is considered “less fire prone”. Crown fires, which are instigated by tree friction and primarily occur abroad, are almost non-existent in Goa. However, minor surface fires in Goa’s moist deciduous forests frequently burn undergrowth and desiccated organic matter on the forest floor due to slash-and-burn practices utilized by villagers to clear grazing land for cattle. Additionally, cashew farmers often ignite minor controlled fires to eliminate weeds and reduce undergrowth.
Understanding Forest Fires
Forest fires are uncontrolled fires in areas rich in combustible vegetation like forests, grasslands, or shrublands. Natural causes include lightning, spontaneous combustion of dry flora, and volcanic activities. Man-made causes involve sources of right conditions like naked flames, cigarettes, electric sparks, and any source of ignition combined with inflammable material. Forest fires can be categorized into three types: Crown fires, Surface fires, and Ground fires.
Pros and Cons of Forest Fires
Forest fires offer benefits including cleaning the forest floor, providing habitat for certain species, combating diseases, and nutrient recycling. However, they also have disadvantages such as damage to unintended plants and trees. They can lead to soil erosion and sedimentation, devastate the ecosystem, and pose a threat to human life.
India’s Vulnerability to Forest Fires
Most forest fires in India occur from November to June. According to the Council of Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), forest fires have increased tenfold over the past two decades, with over 62% of Indian states likely to experience high-intensity forest fires. Mizoram has seen the highest incidence of forest fires over the last two decades, with 95% of its districts being forest fire hotspots.
Indian Initiatives for Managing Forest Fires
India has launched several initiatives to manage forest fires. The National Action Plan for Forest Fires (NAPFF) was initiated in 2018 to reduce forest fires by informing and enabling forest fringe communities. The National Mission for Green India (GIM) aims to increase forest cover and restore degraded forests. The Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPM) is implemented by the FSI under the MoEF&CC with the aim to strengthen the forest fire management system.
Strategies to Mitigate Forest Fires
Mitigation strategies include creating fire breaks which are areas where vegetation has been removed, establishing effective monitoring and management of forests, early detection and rapid response using satellite imaging technology (like MODIS), fuel management to reduce the build-up of combustible materials, implementing Firewise practices, and carrying out controlled burning in a regulated environment.
