Source: Thehindu

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Context:

• These days, Forest fires have become a major global issue.
• As we can see the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, which caused significant property damage, casualties, and displacement.  Unfortunately, forest fires only come into the news after events.
• This shows the need for proactive measures.
• But the frequency of such fires is increasing day by day, so the importance of developing effective strategies for prevention & management have become needed.

Forest Fire Threat in India

• According to the Forest Survey of India, 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to fire.
• As reported by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), 10 times  increase in forest fire incidents have happened over the past 2 decades, while the total forest cover has grown only 12%.
• Most of the time, Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh are in the news for frequent forest fires, but other states also such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka are facing high incidences of forest fires.

Causes of Forest Fires

• 90% of forest fires happened because of human activities, including:
  • • Deliberate land clearing
    • Slash-and-burn agriculture
    • Unattended campfires
• Climate change has an important role in exacerbating forest fires through factors like:
  • • Rising temperatures
    • Extended dry spells
    • Extreme weather events

Consequences

• Loss of biodiversity, including trees & wildlife
• Disruption of the water cycle & soil fertility degradation
• Increased human-wildlife conflict.
• Indian forest fires emit 69 million tonnes of CO2 annually, as per the World Resources Institute.
• But, The destruction of timber and non-timber forest products, which are important to local communities, causes direct economic losses.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change estimated that forest degradation (including forest fires) leads to an annual economic loss of nearly ₹1.74 lakh crore.

Government Initiatives

India has implemented many policies & schemes to combat forest fires:

1. National Action Plan on Forest Fires is a comprehensive plan to manage forest fire across the country.
2. Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) is a centrally sponsored scheme which provides financial support to state governments to manage forest fires.
3. However, funding has been unstable, with the following allocations:
   • • 2019-2020: ₹4 crore
     • 2020-2021: ₹47 crore
     • 2021-2022: ₹26 crore
     • 2022-2023: ₹25 crore
     • 2023-2024 (revised): ₹40 crore
     • 2024-2025 (planned): ₹50 crore

This highlights the need for more consistent & stable financial support for forest fire management.

Enhancing the Response:

To improve the response to forest fires in India, several steps can be taken:

1. Technology Improvements:
   • • The Forest Fire Alert System is currently inadequate because it cannot distinguish between forest fires and other types of fires. This leads to delays in ground-level validation and respons
     • Climatic and geographic data can identify high-risk areas for forest fires which allows for more targeted prevention.
     • Drones with thermal imaging have been started in states like Tamil Nadu & Odisha to monitor fire-prone areas, assess damage, and guide firefighting efforts.
     • These technologies can be started nationwide.
     • Data from the Forest Survey of India, India Meteorological Department (IMD), & Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) should be integrated to enhance forest fire management.
2. Community Empowerment:
   • • Local communities must be given tools & training for quick fire response.
     • In Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh, self-help groups (mainly women) collect pine needles to reduce fire risks.
     • India also can learn from programs like Nepal's Community Forest User Groups & Indonesia's Fire-Free Village Program.
     • Both of which have proven effective in community-based fire management.
     • Mobile apps, toll-free helplines, & SMS-based systems should be utilized for real-time fire reporting which also enhances early warning systems & enables faster responses.

Conclusion

Forest fires are a multi-dimensional issue with severe environmental, social and economic consequences. A collaborative effort involving policymakers, scientists, civil society organisations and local communities is needed to tackle this threat. A multi-pronged approach is necessary, which includes better policy support, technology adoption, community participation and adequate funding. By addressing forest fire risks through comprehensive measures, India can reduce the devastating impacts of forest fires and protect its valuable ecosystems.

Source:

Thehindu