Forest fires are an alarming issue that has been creating havoc in various parts of the world. These catastrophic events are not only detrimental to nature, but also pose a significant threat to animal and human life. One such place experiencing this devastation is Uttarakhand where the rising mercury levels have led to an escalation in forest fire incidents.
What is a Wildfire?
A wildfire refers to an unplanned fire typically caused by either human activity or natural phenomena, such as lightning. These fires can occur anywhere and at any time, with the exception of Antarctica. The two primary causes of wildfires are human and natural factors.
Human Causes of Wildfires
Surprisingly, around 90% of all wildfires are sparked by humans. Acts of carelessness like unattended campfires and careless discarding of cigarette butts cause a multitude of wildfire disasters every year. Other significant causes include accidents, deliberate acts of arson, burning debris, and fireworks.
Natural Causes of Wildfires
Natural causes also contribute to wildfires. Lightning strikes can ignite wildfires, while volcanic eruptions can lead to fires when hot magma expelled as lava reaches nearby fields or lands. The ambient temperature also plays a role, with higher temperatures and dry conditions creating a favorable environment for fires to start. Additionally, climate change leads to a gradual increase in surface air temperature, which further propagates forest fires. Weather components such as warmer temperatures and lower humidity can cause a rise in vapor pressure deficit, drying fuels rapidly and inducing rapid fire growth.
Types of Forest Fires
Forest fires are categorized into three types – crown fires, surface fires, and ground fires. Crown fires are the most dangerous, burning trees from their base to the top. Surface fires, on the other hand, cause the least damage, burning only surface litter and duff. Ground fires, also known as underground or subsurface fires, occur in deep accumulations of peat, humus, or other dead vegetation that has dried sufficiently to burn.
Forest Fire Prevention and Management in India
In India, the subject of forests comes under the concurrent list of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, as per the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. The National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF-2018) was established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Additionally, MoEFCC provides forest fire prevention and management measures under the Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FPM) scheme.
Revamped Funding for Forest Fire Management
The FPM replaced the Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) in 2017, increasing the fund allocation for forest fire work. The funding provided under FPM adheres to a center-state cost-sharing formula, with a 90:10 ratio for the Northeast and Western Himalayan regions, and a 60:40 ratio for all other states. It also offers states the flexibility to direct a portion of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and Mission for Green India (GIM) funding towards forest fire work.
Way Forward
Forest fires continue to be one of the major disasters faced by India, leading to a massive loss of life, property, and impacting the environment. A comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, mitigation, and control of forest fires could lead to better outcomes, saving natural resources and preventing the loss of life and property.
