The ongoing forest fire in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, particularly affecting areas around Nainital, has escalated into a severe environmental crisis, impacting 108 hectares so far.
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To combat this extensive fire, a team of 41 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel has been deployed alongside forest officials. Additionally, the Indian Army and Air Force have been called in to assist, using Mi-17 helicopters equipped with Bambi Bucket operations.
This collective response underscores the urgent need for enhanced forest management and robust fire prevention strategies to address the growing challenge of forest fires.
Bambi Bucket:
The Bambi Bucket is a specialized aerial firefighting tool developed in the 1980s. It's a lightweight, collapsible container that hangs under a helicopter, releasing water through a pilot-controlled valve. Key features include its ability to be quickly filled from various sources like lakes and pools, enabling rapid refills and return to fire zones.
FOREST FIRES:
Forest fires are spontaneous, uncontrolled fires that occur in natural settings, representing a significant threat to global forest ecosystems.
For a fire to ignite, three elements are required, known as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and a heat source.
Forests naturally provide plenty of oxygen, and potential fuel sources include dry trees, shrubs, grasses, and leaf litter, especially during the dry and hot summer months. Conditions like dry weather and drought make vegetation particularly flammable. Additionally, strong winds can accelerate the spread of forest fires.
TYPES OF FOREST FIRE:
As per the Forest Research Institute, there are three types of forest fire:
Surface fire which spread with a flaming front and burn leaf litter, fallen branches and other fuels located at ground level.
Ground fire which burn organic matter in the soil beneath surface litter and are sustained by glowing combustion.
Crown fire which burn through the top layer of foliage on a tree, known as the canopy or crown fires. Crown fires, the most intense type of fire and often the most difficult to contain, need strong winds, steep slopes and a heavy fuel load to continue burning.
FOREST FIRES IN INDIA:
More than 36% of the country’s forest cover has been estimated to be prone to frequent forest fires. Nearly 4 % of the country’s forest cover is extremely prone to fire, whereas 6% of forest cover is found to be very highly fire prone (ISFR 2019).
Severe fires occur in many forest types particularly dry deciduous forest, while evergreen, semi-evergreen and montane temperate forests are comparatively less prone (ISFR 2015).
As per the Forest Survey of India (FSI) website, 54.40% of forests in India are exposed to occasional fires.
The forest fire season in India lasts between November to June. Higher fire incidents are reported in March, April and May due to ample availability of dry biomass following the end of winter and amid the prevailing summer season.
An FSI analysis in ISFR 2021 also found that states in northeastern India showed the highest tendency for forest fires. Parts of western Maharashtra, southern Chhattisgarh, central Odisha and regions in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka also showed patches of extremely and very highly fire-prone zones
CAUSES:
NATURAL CAUSES:
Forest fires can be caused by natural events such as lightning and thunderstorms, heat waves, friction of rolling stones, rubbing of dry bamboo clumps and volcanic eruptions.
The growth of invasive alien species aggravates forest fires. The vast plantations of eucalyptus, Acacia, Pine, Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora are a major reason for the rise of forest fires along Western Ghats and Himalayan foothills.
ANTHROPOGENIC CAUSES:
As per a 2019 report from the Forest Research Institute 95% of forest fires are caused by humans.
Deliberate or intentional causes:
Shifting cultivation: Slash-and-burn practices, particularly in North Eastern India, are a major cause of forest fires.
Land clearing: Increased demand for land due to population growth often leads to intentional forest fires, like those in the Brazilian Amazon.
Fodder production: Fires are set to stimulate new grass growth for cattle grazing.
To improve tendu leaf production: In central India, tendu leaf collection areas are leased annually, leading to a lack of long-term investment in improving the crop. To compensate, collectors often set fires during the summer months, aiming to enhance the growth and quality of tendu leaves.
Illicit activities: Fires are used by smugglers and poachers to cover illegal logging or to drive out wildlife.
Vengeance: Fires are sometimes started to retaliate against forest management.
Accidental or unintentional causes:
Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection: Fires set to clear debris for collecting non-timber forest products, like Mahua flowers, can inadvertently spread.
Protecting crop from wildlife: Fires lit to deter wildlife from crops can escalate into larger blazes.
Crop residue burning: Fires intended to clear agricultural debris can spread to nearby forests.
Carelessness: Unextinguished cigarettes or campfires by visitors can ignite forest fires.
Electrical sparks: High voltage lines running through forests can spark and ignite fires.
IMPACT OF FOREST FIRES:
Loss of Life and Livelihood: Forest fires pose a serious threat to the lives of humans and animals, including tribes, campers, and tourists. In India, about 65 million tribal people rely on forest products for their livelihood, making the socioeconomic impacts of fires severe. Fires disrupt wildlife habitats and migration patterns, increasing man-animal conflicts.
Loss of Timber Resources: Fires cause significant loss to valuable timber species like Teak, Sal, Chir, Deodar, Sheesam, and Rosewood. The quality of timber is compromised by scorching and fungal infections, leading to defective wood.
Impact on Abiotic Resources: Repeated fires destroy ground flora, deteriorate soil nutrients, and increase erosion. This results in reduced soil fertility and water retention, increasing the risk of floods.
Microclimate Change: Fires remove litter and open canopies, altering temperatures and making affected areas unhealthy for living due to changes in the microclimate.
Global Warming & Climate Change: Vegetation burning releases stored carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change. The release of greenhouse gases during fires enhances earth warming.
Environmental Deterioration: While small fires can benefit forests by replenishing soil nutrients, large and repeated fires irreversibly destroy green cover and release harmful gases, aggravating respiratory issues, acid rain, and eutrophication.
Government initiatives:
National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): Aims to strengthen capabilities in fire management through policies and community involvement.
Forest Fire Alert System 3.0: Developed by ISRO and FSI, uses satellite imagery to detect and alert forest officials of fire locations in real time.
Integrated Forest Fire Management (IFFM): Combines modern technology, traditional practices, and community engagement for comprehensive fire management.
Use of Advanced Technologies: Incorporates drones, remote sensing, and GIS for monitoring and managing fires.
Community-based Fire Management: Focuses on community participation and training in fire management techniques.
Creation of Fire Lines: Involves clearing strips of land in forests to prevent the spread of fires.
Training and Capacity Building: Provides ongoing training for forest officials and communities on forest fire prevention and mitigation.
MEASURES TO MITIGATE FOREST FIRES:
Preventive Measures
Mapping and Monitoring: Utilize satellite-based remote sensing technology and GIS tools to map fire-prone areas and create early warning systems. Construct watch towers and deploy fire watchers for early detection of forest fires.
Infrastructure and Resources: Develop and maintain infrastructure such as firefighting equipment, transportation facilities, and communication devices. Train manpower specifically for firefighting and forest management.
Awareness and Education: Conduct awareness programs for locals who depend on forests and tourists who visit these areas. Establish clear guidelines and protocols for behaviors in forest areas to prevent accidental fires.
Physical Barriers: Create and maintain both Kachha and Pucca fire lines to control the spread of fires between forest compartments.
In Kaccha fire lines, the undergrowth and shrubs are removed while trees are retained to decrease the fuel load.The Pucca fire lines are clear felled areas separating a forest/compartment/block from another to control the spread of potential fires.
Community Engagement: Involve local communities in fire prevention strategies, as their cooperation is crucial in early detection and management. Learn from successful community-led efforts in regions like Kerala where community participation has been effective.
Curative Measures
Direct Firefighting: Deploy helicopters, airplanes, and ground-based personnel to spray fire retardant chemicals or water on active fires. Use advanced firefighting techniques such as counter-fire methods to contain and extinguish fires.
Biomass Management: Implement controlled or prescribed burns to eliminate excess undergrowth, dead trees, and litter which fuel fires. Ensure these burns are carefully planned and executed to rejuvenate forest growth and reduce fuel loads.
Technological Advancements
Drones and Surveillance: Increase the use of drones for surveillance to detect and monitor fire outbreaks more efficiently. Drones can also be used to assess the effectiveness of fire lines and the health of the forest post-fire.
Data-Driven Approaches: Leverage data collected from remote sensing and on-ground sensors to analyze fire patterns and improve response strategies. Enhance communication systems to ensure real-time updates and coordination among firefighting teams.
Environmental Management
Water Resource Management: Desilt water sources within forests to ensure they are accessible and useful for firefighting efforts.Maintain the health of these water bodies to support the ecosystem's natural resilience to fire.
Habitat and Biodiversity Conservation: Integrate fire management with broader conservation goals to protect wildlife and biodiversity, considering how fire affects different species and habitats.
CONCLUSION
Forest fires present a serious challenge to India's environment and communities, requiring a multi-faceted response that combines government action, community involvement, and advanced technologies. Continuous improvement in detection, management, and education is essential to mitigate the impacts of these fires, ensuring the protection and sustainability of forest resources.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. "Forest fires in India not only pose a threat to the ecological balance but also affect the livelihoods of millions." Discuss the causes and impacts of forest fires. What measures can be taken to prevent forest fires? (15 marks, 250 words)
