Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Context
For nearly a week, the Coonoor forest range in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu has been engulfed by intense forest fires.
Forest Fires in India
Introduction
Forest fires, a recurring phenomenon in India, typically peak between February and May, with the season extending from November to June. According to the State of the Forest Report 2019, over a third of India’s forest cover is fire-prone, with 4% extremely prone and 6% very highly prone. Dry deciduous forests are particularly susceptible to severe fires, while evergreen and montane temperate forests are less so. Certain regions, including Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, face heightened vulnerability during the fire season. In South India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are known to be fire-prone, and recent wildfires in Tamil Nadu suggest a shift in fire vulnerability patterns. Notably, large bushfires in Goa in 2023 sparked investigations into potential human causes. In 2021, a series of forest fires erupted across several states, including within wildlife sanctuaries. Globally, in 2015, about 3% of the world’s forests, or 98 million hectares, were affected by fires, predominantly in tropical regions.
What are Forest Fires?
- A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that occurs in an area of combustible vegetation, typically in the countryside or rural area.
- Wildfires can burn in vegetation located both in and above the soil.
- Also referred to as a bush or vegetation fire, a wildfire can be defined as any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural setting such as a forest, grassland, brush land or tundra.
- A wildfire consumes the natural fuels and spreads based on environmental conditions, such as wind and topography.
- For a wildfire to burn, three conditions must be present: Fuel, Oxygen, and a Heat source.
Causes of Forest fires
Natural Causes
- Forest fires often originate from natural phenomena such as lightning, which can ignite trees.
- However, these fires are usually extinguished by rain, preventing extensive damage.
- High atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) create favourable conditions for a fire to ignite.
Man-made Causes
- Fires can also be triggered by human activities. They occur when a source of ignition, such as a naked flame, cigarette, bidi, or electric spark, comes into contact with inflammable material.
Types of Forest Fires
Surface Fire:
- A surface fire primarily burns along the ground, engulfing the surface litter such as senescent leaves, twigs, and dry grasses on the forest floor.
Underground Fire:
- Underground fires are of low intensity and consume the organic matter beneath the surface litter of the forest floor. These fires are common in dense forests where a thick layer of organic matter is found on top of the mineral soil.
- These fires spread entirely underground, burning several meters below the surface. They spread slowly and can be difficult to detect and control. In some cases, they may continue to burn for months, destroying the vegetative cover of the soil.
Ground Fire:
- Ground fires burn in the subsurface organic fuels, such as duff layers under forest stands, Arctic tundra or taiga, and organic soils of swamps or bogs.
- There is no clear distinction between underground and ground fires. Smouldering underground fires sometimes transition into ground fires.
- Ground fires burn roots and other materials on or beneath the surface, including the herbaceous growth on the forest floor and the layer of organic matter in various stages of decay.
- They are more damaging than surface fires as they can completely destroy vegetation. Ground fires burn underneath the surface by smouldering combustion and are often ignited by surface fires.
According to the Forest Survey of India, Mizoram has the most reported forest fires, followed by Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra.
Satellite data from ISRO shows an increase in forest fires starting from early March, impacting regions such as the Konkan belt, south-coastal Gujarat, southern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, coastal and interior Odisha, and Jharkhand.
Forest Fire Trends in India
- Over the past two decades, there has been a ten-fold increase in forest fires, and more than 62% of Indian states are prone to high-intensity forest fires.
- States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra are most susceptible to high-intensity forest fire events, largely due to rapid climatic changes.
- Mizoram has recorded the highest number of forest fire incidents in the last two decades, with over 95% of its districts being identified as forest fire hotspots.
- There has been a noticeable “swapping trend” in climatic patterns, with districts that were earlier flood-prone now becoming drought-prone.
- More than 75% of Indian districts are extreme climate event hotspots, and over 30% of districts are extreme forest fire hotspots.
Factors Contributing to Forest Fires
- Conducive Atmosphere: Factors such as hot and dry temperatures, high tree density, and low humidity create an environment conducive to fire ignition and propagation.
- High Aridity: In 2024, Southern India experienced high aridity and above-normal day temperatures, leading to dry conditions and an increased risk of fires.
- High Temperature: February was recorded as the hottest month in South India since 1901, with January being the fifth warmest. These exceptionally high temperatures have accelerated the drying of biomass in forests, making them more susceptible to ignition.
- Summer Season: During the early phase of the summer season, clear sky conditions and calm winds further exacerbate the risk of forest fires.
- Excess Heat Factor (EHF): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of the prevalence of the Excess Heat Factor (EHF) over western Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Karnataka. EHF is an index used to quantify heatwave intensity relative to the local climate.
- Heat Waves: Elevated maximum temperatures, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in mid-March, indicate an increased risk of heatwaves, further intensifying the fire hazard.
- Mild Aridity: The absence of rain and prevailing high temperatures have led the IMD to classify almost all districts of southern India under ‘mild’ aridity. This exacerbates the susceptibility of forests to fire incidents, posing significant challenges for fire management and suppression efforts.
Forest Fire Management Strategies in India
- Early Warning Systems: Utilization of MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS sensors to detect forest fires and provide real-time monitoring.
- Fire Danger Rating: Implementation of the Forest Fire Danger Rating System, based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), for early warnings.
- National Action Plan: This plan empowers forest fringe communities and incentivizes collaboration with forest departments to minimize forest fires.
- National Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the primary objective to enhance the prevention, control, and management of forest fires in the country.
- Bambi Bucket: Also known as a helicopter bucket or helibucket, it is a specialized container suspended by a cable under a helicopter. It can be filled by lowering into a water source and then flown over a fire to discharge water aerially.
- Forest Survey of India: This organization monitors forest fires using satellite data and has initiated the Large Forest Fire Monitoring Programme using SNPP-VIIRS data.
- Joint Forest Management: An important tool for the participation of people in forest management. Local communities play a significant role in protection, developmental work, and improvement of forests, including the management of forest fires.
Way forward
- Forest Litter Removal: Preventing fires in the summer can be achieved through the removal of forest litter along the forest boundary.
- Forest Line Creation: The creation of a forest line can prevent a fire from spreading from one compartment of the forest to another.
- Firebreaks: The best way to control a forest fire is to prevent it from spreading. This can be achieved by creating firebreaks in the form of small clearings or ditches in the forests.
- Safe Practices: It’s crucial to adopt safe practices in areas near forests, such as factories, coal mines, oil stores, chemical plants, and even household kitchens.
- Firefighting Techniques and Equipment: Incorporating fire reducing and firefighting techniques and equipment is also essential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, forest fires in India are a significant environmental concern, with a ten-fold increase in incidents over the past two decades. Factors such as high temperatures, aridity, and human activities contribute to this escalating problem. States like Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra are particularly vulnerable. However, strategies such as early warning systems, fire danger ratings, and the implementation of national schemes are being employed to manage and mitigate these fires. The involvement of local communities in forest management is also crucial. Moving forward, it’s imperative to continue these efforts and innovate new solutions to protect India’s forests.
Sources and References: Indian Express | FSI | The Hindu
Practice Question
Discuss the increasing incidence of forest fires in India. Analyze the major contributing factors and evaluate the strategies being implemented for the management and mitigation of these fires. Suggest measures to enhance the effectiveness of these strategies. (250 words)
How to approach this question?
Introduction:
- Start by providing a brief overview of the issue of forest fires in India, highlighting its increasing incidence and the significant environmental concern it poses.
Body:
- Discuss the major factors contributing to the increasing incidence of forest fires. This could include natural factors such as high temperatures and aridity, as well as man-made factors such as human activities.
- Evaluate the strategies currently being implemented for the management and mitigation of these fires. This could include early warning systems, fire danger ratings, and national schemes.
- Analyze the effectiveness of these strategies, discussing their successes and limitations.
Conclusion:
- Conclude by suggesting measures to enhance the effectiveness of these strategies. This could include suggestions for policy changes, technological innovations, or community involvement initiatives.
- Highlight the importance of continued efforts and innovation in protecting India’s forests from fires.
Remember to provide a balanced answer, incorporating relevant facts and figures, and propose feasible solutions. Structure your answer well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, ensure that your answer is within the word limit specified for the exam. Good luck!