FOREST FIRES IN INDIA: A GROWING CRISIS

GS3 – DISASATER MANAGEMENT

Overview:

Forest fires in India have reached alarming levels, with over 1.1 million incidents recorded across five fire seasons. The peak fire season, from November to June, severely affects ecosystems, wildlife, and local communities, yet often receives less global attention compared to wildfires in other regions like Los Angeles.

Current Situation:

• Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra are the most affected states, accounting for nearly 43% of all fires in India.
• Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand also report high numbers of incidents, each with over 50,000 fires.

Forest Vulnerability:

• India’s total forest and tree cover spans 827,357 square km, about 25.17% of the country’s area, with 4,992 square km of mangrove cover.
• However, over 36% of this forest cover is vulnerable to fires, with significant portions classified as extremely fire-prone.

Impact on Livelihoods:

• Forests are vital to the livelihoods of around 275 million rural Indians, who depend on forests for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and ecological services. Fires threaten their economic security and sustenance.

Causes of Forest Fires:

• Unsustainable resource exploitation and increasing human activities, such as the collection of tendu leaves and mahua flowers, are major causes.
• Shifting cultivation practices also affect around 4.35 million hectares of forest.
• While fire can naturally aid forest regeneration, its negative impact often outweighs the benefits.