The forest fires in Uttarakhand, which have devastated acres of green cover in the hills, may have a lasting impact on the Himalayan glaciers and cause them to melt faster, say experts. In a report published by the Times of India, experts say ‘black carbon’ from the smog and ash is covering the glaciers, making them more prone to melting.
Full Answer
What are the environmental consequences of the Uttarakhand fire?
Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (ARIES) warns of the environmental consequences. The black carbon and smog from the ash clouds the glaciers of Gangotri, Mikim, Sundardaya, Newla and Cheepa. This fire could induce quicker global warming and more.
What are the different types of forest fires in Uttarakhand?
As per FSI Uttarakhand forest are divided in the following types: These forests are prone to forest fires. The duration of forest fire in state is from February to June. The peak fire incidents are reported in the May and June. The forest fire in state is categorised in three types: Ground fire spread on the top of organic matter.
What are the effects of forest fires in Maharashtra?
They have caused immense destruction of both land and property contributing to huge economic losses. Chhattisgarh in Uttar Pradesh leads the list with 2,442 fires and Maharashtra is at the bottom with 1638 in 2016 alone! This is an extremely grave issue and needs to be addressed with great concern.
What is the percentage of forest in Uttarakhand under forest cover?
Being an ecologically sensitive zone, these wild fires damages a large geographical area of state.Uttarakhand has 45.32% of its geographical area under the forest cover. It is the only north Indian state to have more than 33% of area under forest cover.
What animals are wiped out by forest fires?
· The regular burning of forests has wiped out communities of insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles, besides, of course, most mammals. Broadleaf trees tend to dry up in the wake of regular forest fires.#N#· These are rapidly replaced by the Chir pine, which has very little to offer in the way of food for wildlife.#N#· Thus, the only mammals that still survive in any numbers in Uttarakhand are rhesus macaques and wild boar, which are highly adaptable omnivores.#N#· They now depend almost entirely on humans for their food, relying on raiding crops and even houses to fill their belly.
What are the only mammals that live in Uttarakhand?
· Thus, the only mammals that still survive in any numbers in Uttarakhand are rhesus macaques and wild boar, which are highly adaptable omnivores.
Why are forests prone to wildfires?
The forests are prone to the wildfire because of large spell of winter in which the precipitation is scanty. Every year India witnesses many incidents of forest fire in a vast geographical area. This is one of the biggest threat to our biodiversity and wild life. Every year many animals lost their life in wild fire.
Which national park witnessed the most fire incidents?
Among these the Rajaji National Park witnessed most of the fire incidents about 66.39% percent of the total reported fire incidents. Uttrakhand has witnessed a number of fire incidents in the past. Being a Himalayan state, the ecology of uttarakhand is quite sensitive.
How many national parks are there in India?
India has 104 national parks and more than 500 wild life sanctuary. These national parks and wild life sanctuary are under the great threat of wild fire. .Uttrakhand is a Himalayan state which holds a large number of species of wild flora and fauna.
What is the fire that spreads on the top of organic matter?
Crown fires. Ground fire spread on the top of organic matter. It mostly consume matter like duff, musk or peat present beneath the surface litter of the forest floor. Surface fire spread very rapidly and mostly survive upon the small vegetation and surface litter.
Where is burning of agricultural biomass common?
Burning of agricultural biomass in agricultural fields is very common in entire north India. Sometime the fire escapes from the fields and reaches into forests and national parks. A large area of uttarakhand is hilly terrain which makes it very difficult to control forest fire.
Is forest fire a new concept?
Abstract:- Forest fire is not a new concept in present era but now a days the threat of forest fire looms large over the vast cover of green vegetation. As the global temperature is rising, increasing incidents of forest fires are increasing the temperature of earth.
Is Uttarakhand a Himalayan state?
Being a Himalayan state, the ecology of uttarakhand is quite sensitive. Uttrakhand has a large area under its forest cover. It has highest number of forest cover in the northern states. Uttarakhand also an abode of many flora and fauna which are protected by national park, sanctuaries and bio-sphere reserve.
Why did the forests in Uttarakhand burn?
By: Kapil Kumar Joshi. Forest fires in Uttarakhand are a result of warped policies since British times that wrested control of the forests from local communities, who in turn, set forests on fire to extract their revenge.
Why are forest fires common in the Himalayan region?
The major causes for forest fires are: To encourage good and early growth of grass and fodder; To encroach upon forest land;
What is the most fragile ecosystem in the world?
The Himalayan mountain system is one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world due to its inherent tectonic and geological characteristics (Valdiya, 1983). It is a rich storehouse of biodiversity ranging from tropical/subtropical evergreen, subtropical chir pine and broad leaf temperate forests, along with conifer to subalpine and alpine meadows.
What happened in Kumaon in March?
Within a few weeks in March and April, thousands of acres of forest in Kumaon were burnt. The Sal forests in the lower hills was destroyed almost overnight and the dry pine forests of the higher hills vanished in smoke. The villagers continue to set fire repeatedly in some places. At many places, the fires continued for many days ...
Where did the fires in 1916 happen?
The manmade fires of 1916 were the ominous precedent for the devastating forest fires of 1921 that followed in the Kumaon region of the western Himalayas. In the early months of 1921, the hills suddenly went up in flames. Within a few weeks in March and April, thousands of acres of forest in Kumaon were burnt.
What was the forest used for in India?
Forest produce was variously used for fodder, fuel wood, timber, leaf litter, construction, industrial raw material and several other purposes.
Who was shocked at the damage caused by the Freedom Movement?
The provincial government, the forest department and the leaders of the freedom movement were all shocked at the damage caused. The then government of the United Provinces established a Commission of inquiry to recommend measures that would defuse the danger in the hills before the next dry season.
What are the worst areas of Uttarakhand?
Almora, Chamoli, Nainital, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Tehri and Uttarkashi have been declared the worst affected areas. In the last three months of forest fire, 922 incidents have occurred with 1890.79 hectares of green cover getting blighted. The forest fires in Uttarakhand have severely affected the wildlife reserves across the state.
What are the worst areas of the forest fires?
Almora, Chamoli, Nainital, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Tehri and Uttarkashi have been declared the worst affected areas. In the last three months of forest fire, 922 incidents have occurred with 1890.79 hectares of green cover getting blighted.