Himachal Pradesh Forest Fires

Himachal Pradesh Forest Fires

Sub: Environment

Sec: Ecosystem

• Since April 15, 2024, there have been 1,684 forest fires in Himachal Pradesh. These fires have damaged 17,471 hectares of forest land.
• From 2001 to 2023, H.P. lost 957 hectares of tree cover from fires and 4.37 thousand hectares from other causes.

What is a Forest Fire?

• Wildfire, also called forest, bush or vegetation fire, can be described as any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural setting such as a forest, grassland, brushland or tundra.

Forest Fires in India: Statistics

• Forest Fires in India: According to the biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019 published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), more than 36% of India’s forest cover was prone to frequent fires.
  • About 4% of the forest cover was ‘extremely prone’ to fire, and another 6% was ‘very highly’ fire-prone.
• Vulnerable States: The eleven main states with frequent occurrence of forest fires in recent times are:
  • Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Forest Fire Vulnerability Across Ecosystems: According to the FSI, severe fires break out in dry deciduous forests, while evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests are comparatively less prone to fires.
• The forests of Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand are the most vulnerable to fires during the November to June period.
• Triggering Factors: 
  • Human activities trigger 95% of forest fires in India, such as burning agricultural practices, deforestation, firewood burning etc.
  • Drought and higher temperatures further aggravate the risk of forest fire.
• Forest Fire Season in India: November to June is considered to be forest fire season in India especially from February onward as summer approaches.
  • April-May are usually the worst fire months across the country.
• Forest Fire Situation in 2024: During March 2024, the highest number of forest fires were reported from Mizoram (3,738), Manipur (1,702), Himachal Pradesh (1684), Assam (1,652), Meghalaya (1,252), and Maharashtra (1,215), as per FSI data.

Causes of Forest Fires:

• Occur during pre-monsoon summer due to moisture stress and depletion of snowmelt water.
• Rainstorms in the pre-monsoon season are critical; less moisture increases fire impact.
• Human activities like unattended campfires and discarded cigarettes.
• Faulty forestry practices and a utilitarian perspective towards forests, excluding community participation.
• Fires emit pollutants like black carbon, contributing to glacier melt and regional climate change.

Historical Transformation of Himalayan Forests:

• Over two centuries, Himalayan forests have been transformed, starting with railway construction in the 1850s.
• British exploitation of forests for railway construction led to the loss of customary rights and deforestation.
• Deodar and Chir pine trees were extensively used for timber and resin.
• Banj oak forests, which retain moisture, were replaced by commercially valuable Chir pines.
• Currently, 17.8% of H.P.’s 37,033 sq km forest area is covered with Chir pines, which are prone to fires.

Recommendations:

• Democratisation of Forests:
  • Include local communities in forest management.
  • Restore traditional forest rights for fuel, timber, and fodder extraction.
  • Align with Schedule V of the Indian Constitution requiring community assent for development activities.
• Forest Management:
  • Develop mixed forestry and reduce pine tree dominance.
  • Integrate scientific and community knowledge for participatory management.
  • Implement check dams and revive water springs.
  • Establish environmental services at the village level.
  • Seek financial assistance and disaster mitigation funds from the 16th Finance Commission.

Source: TH