Where are the forest fires happening in India?
Context: April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country. Since the start of 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including in wildlife sanctuaries
Are forest fires threatening India’s ambition to expand its forest and tree cover?
MoEFCC and World Bank report states that forest fires in India threaten India’s ambition to expand its forest and tree cover by 2030 to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent
Why are there so many forest fires in Uttarakhand now?
April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country. But forest fires have been more frequent than usual in Uttarakhand and have also taken place during winter; dry soil caused by a weak monsoon is being seen as one of the causes.
How many acres of forest has been burnt in Bandipur fire?
A five-day fire that raged through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve has reportedly burnt more than 15,400 acres of forests. Between February 21 and 25, the reserve saw 127 fire counts in various ranges of the 912 sq km forest.
How many forest fires have happened in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand has witnessed over 1,000 incidents of forest fire over a six months period. With increasing frequency of forest fires in India, here is a look at the various aspects of it. What is the recent flare?
When do forest fires occur in Uttarakhand?
April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country. But forest fires have been more frequent than usual in Uttarakhand and have also taken place during winter. Dry soil caused by a weak monsoon is being seen as one of the causes.
How does a forest fire affect the ecosystem?
Fires render several hectares of forest useless and leave behind ash, making it unfit for any vegetation growth. Heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats.
What is the name of the satellite that identifies fire hotspots?
In its advanced version launched in January 2019, the system now uses satellite information gathered from NASA and ISRO. Real-time fire information from identified fire hotspots is gathered using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensors (1km by 1km grid) and electronically transmitted to FSI.
Why do trees go up in flames?
This is when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds. These can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger. Under natural circumstances, extreme heat and dryness, friction created by rubbing of branches with each other also likely initiate fire.
How do forests help the climate?
Forests play an important role in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. They act as a sink, reservoir and source of carbon. A healthy forest stores and sequesters more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem. In India, notably, 1.70 lakh villages are in close proximity to forests (Census 2011).
Where is the Simlipal fire?
The Simlipal National Park in Odisha saw a major fire between February-end and early March. Recent fires also include those in Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, and in sanctuaries for the Asiatic lion and the great Indian bustard in Gujarat.
Why in News
Since the advent of the year 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in many states of India, including in Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Key Points
Also called bush or vegetation fire or wildfire, it can be described as any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural setting such as a forest, grassland, brush land or tundra, which consumes the natural fuels and spreads based on environmental conditions (e.g., wind, topography).
How many hectares of forest fires are there in India?
Mains level : Forest fires in India. The Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has informed that area covering 93,273 hectares was affected by forest fires in 2019. Most of the fires have been “ground fires” burning ground vegetation.
How many forest fires have happened in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand has witnessed over 1,000 incidents of a forest fire over the last six months, including 45 in the last 24 hours alone.
What is the National Action Plan on Forest Fires?
The MoEFCC has prepared a National Action Plan on Forest Fires in 2018 after several rounds of consultation with all states and UTs.
How many fires did the ESA detect in August?
The ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission recorded 79,000 fires in August this year, compared to just over 16,000 fires detected during the same period last year. These figures were achieved by using data from the Sentinel-3 World Fire Atlas Prototype, which also provided a breakdown of these fires per continent.
Why is fire important in the rainforest?
As devastating as forest fires are in the rainforest, the destructive power of fire is necessary for the preservation of other ecosystems, where parts of the natural fauna and flora develop only thanks to the fires.
Why is the Amazon deforested?
Since the 1960s, the Amazon has witnessed large-scale deforestation because of cattle-ranching, logging, power projects, mining and farming. Under Brazil’s Forest Code of 1965, farmers could purchase Amazon land but could farm only 20% of it. Agribusiness products in 2016 represented 46% of Brazil’s exports.
How far can a fire beetle detect fire?
Thanks to its heat-sensitive sensors, the fire beetle can detect fires from up to 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
Why in News
Recently, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Kerala Forest Department to submit its report in one month, on the steps taken to prevent forest fires and implement the National Action Plan on Forest Fire in the State.
Key Points
Forest Fires: Fire can play a vital role in keeping the forests healthy, recycling nutrients, helping tree species regenerate, removing invasive weeds and pathogens, and maintaining habitat for some wildlife. As populations and demands on forest resources have grown, the cycle of fire has spun out of balance. Forest fires have become an issue of global concern.
When are forest fires in India?
Forest Fires. Context: April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country. Since the start of 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including in wildlife sanctuaries. Image Source: Indian Express.
Why are there fires in India?
Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities. Emerging studies link climate change to rising instances of fires globally, especially the massive fires of the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia in the last two years.
How are forest fires brought under control?
But there have been incidents when forest fires were brought under control using helicopter services. Weather Factors: Wind speed and direction play a critical role in bringing a forest fire under control. The fire often spreads in the direction of the winds and towards higher elevations.
How does fire affect the forest?
Shrinkage of Forests: Heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats. Soil quality decreases with the alteration in their compositions. Soil moisture and fertility, too, is affected.
How much of India is forest?
As of 2019, about 21.67% (7,12,249 sq km) of the country’s geographical area is identified as forest, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR) released by the Forest Survey of India. Tree cover makes up another 2.89% (95, 027 sq km). Based on previous fire incidents and recorded events, forests of the Northeast ...
Which region is most vulnerable to forest fires?
Tree cover makes up another 2.89% (95, 027 sq km). Based on previous fire incidents and recorded events, forests of the Northeast and central India regions are the most vulnerable areas to forest fires. Forests in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura have been identified as ‘extremely prone’ to forest fire.
Which state has the most forest fires?
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the two states that witness the most frequent forest fires annually. In Uttarkhand, 24,303 sq km (over 45 per cent of the geographical area) is under forest cover.
How much of India's forest is prone to fires?
About 21.40% of forest cover in India is prone to fires according to a 2019 report by the Forest Survey of India that demand urgent action.
Why do forest fires affect biodiversity?
Forest fire causes imbalances in nature and endangers biodiversity by destroying habitats and precious life. Incidents of forest fires have increased in recent years. The main reason for this is climate change fuelled by anthropogenic activity. About 21.40% of forest cover in India is prone to fires according to a 2019 report by ...
How do forest fires affect ecosystems?
Impact of forest fires on ecosystems: Loss of Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Forest fires destroy the habitats and the intricate relationships of diverse flora and fauna leading to loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. Wildfires damage the habitable and adaptable land for specific animal and plant species. Besides, wildfires can even lead ...
How can we prevent forest fires?
Measures to prevent forest fires: 1 Policy: A national policy is required to consolidate existing guidelines and to issue comprehensive guidelines which should be aligned with the climate change policies. The policy should also define the respective roles and responsibilities of the MoEFCC, state forest departments, and disaster agencies, and establish a mechanism for the provision of regular funding to the states. 2 Human Capital: Ground-based detection will continue to be essential along with the introduction of new remote sensing technologies. So, training should be provided to field officers, seasonal fire watchers, and community volunteers involved in firefighting. 3 Coordination with other agencies: Stronger collaboration between the State Forest Departments (SFDs), the disaster management authorities and research entities would enable states to innovate new science-based management approaches for preventing fires and rehabilitating fire-affected areas. 4 Technology: Systems for early warning and fire danger need to be developed. Fire alert systems can also be improved by integrating ground-based detection with the satellite-based alert systems. 5 Community Engagement: Sensitisation of communities should be done to ensure that fire is used responsibly in a way that promotes forest health, while seeking to avoid damaging and out-of-control fires.Provision of training should extend beyond state-managed forests to community institutions in regions such as the Northeast, where communities are responsible for managing most of the forest estate.
What are the causes of forest degradation?
Forest Degradation: Forest fires especially that commonly happen in dry tropical forests are a major cause of forest degradation. Almost every year, forest fires are witnessed across different forest regions which persistently reduce the quality of certain forest features like soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
Why do wildfires start?
This slowly burning debris can potentially set anything ablaze and start a wildfire because of the heat. Heat patterns: Increased temperatures due to global warming are making the forests more vulnerable. Rising atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) make favorable circumstances for a fire to start.
How do wildfires affect the environment?
In addition, the huge clouds of smoke instigated by wildfires lead to massive air pollution. Global Warming: When plant life is exterminated by fires, the quality of air we breathe in declines and greenhouse gasses increase in the atmosphere leading to climate change and global warming.
What are the reasons for forest fires in Odisha?
Collection of mahua flowers and kendu leaves, practice of shifting cultivation and grazing in forest areas are some of the reasons for forest fires in Odisha. Telangana recorded the second-highest fires in the country at 1,527 during the same period, followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,507) and Andhra Pradesh (1,292), according to FSI data. Concerns:
What are the causes of forest fires?
Causes of Forest Fire: Forest fires are caused by Natural causes as well as Man-made or anthropogenic causes. Natural causes such as lightning which set trees on fire. High atmospheric temperatures and low humidity offer favourable circumstance for a fire to start.
What is the National Action Plan on Forest Fires?
National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): It was launch ed in 2018 to minimise forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivising them to work with the State Forest Departments.
Why are wildfires burning?
In many countries, wildfires are burning larger areas, and fire seasons are growing longer due to global warming. Globally, forest fires release billions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, while hundreds of thousands of people are believed to die due to illnesses caused by exposure to smoke from forest fires and other landscape fires.
How many forest fires have occurred in the Himalayas?
The Himalayan forests, particularly, Garhwal Himalayas witness major fire incidents. Forests with chir pine are very prone to fire as they easily catch fire. 291 forest fires have occurred in Uttarakhand, 2,422 in Chhattisgarh and 2,349 in Odisha. Madhya Pradesh reported 2,238 forest fires.
What are the threats of forest fires?
Forests fires are as old as the forests themselves. They pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing the bio-diversity and the ecology and environment of a region.
What are the causes of forest degradation?
Fires are a major cause of forest degradation and have wide ranging adverse ecological, economic and social impacts. Loss of valuable timber resources. degradation of catchment areas. loss of biodiversity and extinction of plants and animals. global warming.
What is the fourth approach to fire?
As soon as the two fires meet, the blaze is extinguished. The fourth approach is to have enough people with leafy green branches to beat the fire out. This is mostly practised in combination with fire lines and counter fires.
Why do forests burn?
During summer, when there is no rain for months, the forests become littered with dry leaves which could burst into flames ignited by the slightest spark . Forest fire causes imbalances in nature and endangers biodiversity by reducing faunal and floral wealth.
Where did the recent wildfire tragedy take place?
The recent wildfire tragedy in Theni in Tamil Nadu, in which 20 trekkers lost their lives, once again brings into focus forest fires in India. This tragedy raises several other issues — of approaches in fighting fires and ways of mitigating damage. This incident took place during forest fire season in the dry Western Ghats.
Is dehydration a problem in fire?
Dehydration is also an issue when fighting flames more than a metre high. Traditional methods of fire prevention are not proving effective and it is now essential to raise public awareness on the matter, particularly among those people who live close to or in forested areas .