Status of forest fires in India: Heat, aridity, clear skies

Source: The post status of forest fires in India has been created, based on the article “Heat, aridity, clear skies: why forests are already ablaze in the Nilgiris” published in “Indian express” on 19th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-disaster management- Forest fire

News: The article details forest fires in the Coonoor forest range, Tamil Nadu, where the Indian Air Force used an Mi-17 V5 helicopter with a Bambi Bucket to drop water on the fires. This is part of efforts to control the intense wildfires in the region.

What is the current status of forest fires in India?

Frequency and Season: As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019, forest fires are common in India, particularly from November to June.

High Risk Areas: The ISFR 2019 identifies over 36% of India’s forest cover as fire-prone (about 4% extremely prone’ to fire, and another 6% was ‘very highly’ fire prone). Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand face severe risks.

2024 Fire Incidents: FSI data shows the highest number of fires in Mizoram (3,738), Manipur (1,702), Assam (1,652), Meghalaya (1,252), and Maharashtra (1,215).

South India’s Trends: Despite generally lower risk, Tamil Nadu has experienced increased wildfire incidents.

What are the reasons for forest fires in India?

Human Actions: Fires often start due to human activities like discarding cigarettes, leaving campfires unattended, and burning debris.

Natural Causes: Lightning strikes are a frequent natural cause of forest fires.

Climatic Factors: This year, the spread of forest fires is influenced by high aridity, above-normal temperatures, and clear sky conditions, especially in Southern India.

Recent Temperature Trends: Southern India experienced exceptionally high temperatures recently, with February being the hottest since 1901, contributing to dry forest conditions.

Specific Regional Conditions: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported high Excess Heat Factor (EHF) in western Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with temperatures hitting 40 degrees Celsius, unusually high for mid-March, increasing the risk of fires.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contribute to the increased frequency of forest fires in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu?