FOREST FIRES

Published on 23 Feb 2025

According to a study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), the frequency and intensity of forest fires, as well as the number of months in which such fires occur, have increased in the past two decades. There has been a ten-fold increase in forest fires in the past two decades, and more than 62% of Indian states are prone to high-intensity forest fires.

Vulnerability of India

Diverse Forest Ecosystems: India's vast and diverse forest ecosystems, including tropical, temperate, and alpine forests, make it susceptible to various types of forest fires.

Example: The dense forests of the Western Ghats are prone to wildfires during dry periods.

Climate and Weather Conditions: India's climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, can create conditions conducive to forest fires during the dry season.

Example: The hot and dry weather in parts of central India during summer increases the risk of forest fires.

Human Activities: Human activities, such as land encroachment, unauthorized logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture, contribute to forest degradation and increase the likelihood of fires.

Example: The encroachment of human settlements into forested areas in Uttarakhand has led to more frequent forest fires.

Causes of Forest fire

Natural Causes

Lightning Strikes: Lightning strikes can ignite forest fires when they hit dry vegetation.

Example: In June 2020, a lightning strike in the Dzukou Valley, located on the border of Nagaland and Manipur, ignited a forest fire that raged for several days.

Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanic eruptions can release hot ash and lava resulting in forest fires.

Example: In 2004, the Barren Island volcano, located in the Andaman Sea, erupted and released hot ash and lava, leading to forest fires on the nearby uninhabited islands.

Heat patterns: Increased temperatures due to global warming are raising atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) make favourable circumstances for a fire to start.

Anthropogenic Causes

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: Farmers practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear land for cultivation, often leading to uncontrolled fires.
Careless Disposal of Cigarette Butts: Improper disposal of cigarette butts can ignite forest fires, especially in dry conditions.
Illegal Logging and Land Clearance: Illegal activities like logging and land clearance often involve setting fires, which can get out of control.
Tourist Activities and Campfires: Tourists lighting campfires or cooking fires without proper precautions can trigger forest fires.
Human Negligence and Sparking Equipment: Sparks from equipment such as power lines, construction machinery, or vehicles can inadvertently ignite forest fires.
Collection of minor forest produces: Collectors of tendu leaves often set fires in the summer months to promote a better flush of leaves. Such fires become uncontrollable sometimes

Impacts of Forest fire

Environmental Impacts

Loss of Biodiversity: Forest fires destroy vegetation, leading to the loss of habitats for numerous plant and animal species.
Habitat Destruction: Critical habitats, including those of endangered species, can be decimated by forest fires, disrupting ecosystems.
Air Quality Degradation: Smoke and particulate matter from forest fires can degrade air quality, affecting the health of both wildlife and humans.
Soil Erosion and Degradation: The loss of vegetation cover due to fires can increase soil erosion, leading to long-term soil degradation.
Disruption of Natural Cycles: Fires disrupt the natural regeneration cycles of forests, making it challenging for ecosystems to recover and maintain their balance.

Socio-Economic Impacts

Loss of Livelihoods: Communities reliant on forest resources, like firewood and non-timber products, can lose their livelihoods when these resources are destroyed.
Damage to Infrastructure: Forest fires can damage infrastructure such as power lines, resulting in service disruptions and repair costs.
Tourism Decline: Smoke and reduced scenic beauty can deter tourists, impacting local economies dependent on tourism.
Health Impacts: Poor air quality from forest fires can lead to respiratory issues and increased healthcare costs for affected communities.
Resource Scarcity and Price Hike: Fires reducing resource availability, e.g., bamboo or medicinal plants, can drive up prices and hinder industries from relying on them.

India’s Current Preparedness

Monitoring of forest fires: The Forest Survey of India monitors forest fire events through satellites on two platforms- MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS, both in collaboration with NASA and ISRO.
Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: In 2017, the Intensification of Forest Management Scheme was revised and replaced as Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme.
National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): The NAPFF aims to strengthen the prevention, detection, and suppression of forest fires in India.
Fire Lines and Controlled Burns: Creating fire lines (clearing vegetation to create barriers) and controlled burns in the off-season to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.
Firefighting Infrastructure: India has invested in building firefighting infrastructure, including fire towers, watchtowers, and fire lines and deployment of fire-fighting personnel.
NDMA Guidelines

Incorporate Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FFPM) in existing policy and planning documents
Establish a National Forest Fire Knowledge Network
Capacity building of forest officials for better use of early warning systems
Assess risk and prepare vulnerability and risk maps
Document national and international good practices and utilise them for making forest fire management more effective and practical
Increase community awareness

Challenges in Mitigations

No clear guidelines for forest fire management: In November 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked the Environment Ministry to make a national policy for the prevention and control of forest fires. However, no progress has been made so far.
Lack of funding: The allocation of funds to the states for forest fire management is largely insufficient. Further, a large amount of the money allocated under the forest management schemes is not released
Early Warning: Unlike Western countries, forest fires in India are largely man-made which makes it difficult to predict
Emphasis on post-disaster response: Less focus on mitigation, preparedness, human resource development and awareness generation. Post-fire management is not being treated as part of the FFPM process.
Lack of community participation: In most of the Indian states, community participation in forest fire management has been poor
Lack of manpower: Lack of manpower hinders the clearing of fire lines and also affects the patrolling of forest areas.
Climate Change: The forest fire management in India does not include climate change aspects in planning, policy formulations and implementation stages

Way Forward

Education and Awareness: Educate local communities, tourists, and forest workers about the dangers of forest fires, responsible behaviour in fire-prone areas, and reporting potential fire hazards.
Implement Controlled Burns: Conduct controlled or prescribed burns during the cooler, wetter months to reduce the accumulation of dry vegetation and minimize the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. This practice can help maintain a healthy forest ecosystem and reduce fuel loads.
Clear Firebreaks: Create firebreaks or cleared areas devoid of vegetation to act as barriers that can help contain fires when they occur.
Fuel Management: Implement fuel management practices such as thinning and removing deadwood to reduce the availability of flammable materials.
Enforce Fire Bans and Restrictions: Implement and enforce fire bans and restrictions on campfires, outdoor burning, and fireworks during periods of high fire risk, especially in dry and windy conditions.
Fire-resistant Building Practices: Encourage the use of fire-resistant building materials, designs, and landscaping in areas prone to wildfires.
Regular Equipment Maintenance: Ensure that equipment and machinery used in forested areas, such as chainsaws and vehicles, are well-maintained to prevent sparks and other potential fire-starting sources.
Monitoring and Early Detection: Establish monitoring systems, including fire towers, lookout points, and remote sensing technologies, to detect fires at their earliest stages.
Firebreak Maintenance: Regularly maintain existing firebreaks and access roads to ensure they remain effective as fire containment lines.
Community Involvement: Engage local communities in fire prevention efforts. Train and equip community members to respond to small fires before they escalate and to assist firefighting efforts.
Fire Safety Planning: Develop and communicate fire safety plans and evacuation routes for communities located in fire-prone areas. Conduct drills to ensure preparedness.
Legislation and Penalties: Enforce strict laws and penalties for starting fires deliberately or engaging in activities that increase the risk of forest fires. Deterrence can be a powerful tool in prevention.

Best Practices

"Prepare, Act, Survive" campaign in Australia: The campaign educates residents on how to prepare for fire seasons, stay informed, and take appropriate action when fires occur. It is a national strategy providing the most effective approach for individuals and communities to survive bushfire incidents.
The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System: Canada employs a comprehensive forest fire management system that includes early detection and monitoring. Canada employs a comprehensive forest fire management system that includes early detection and monitoring.
Bilapaka village in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha: The villagers have set up the Bilapaka Jangal Surakshya Parichalana Committee (BJSPC). The villagers have developed an effective warning mechanism and a process to immediately stop small fire incidents.