Syllabus: GS–III & V: Environmental Degradation

Why in the news?

Satellite-based data for the November 2023 to June 2024 forest fire season shows that the Northeast region recorded more than 20,500 square kilometres of burnt land, raising serious concerns about forest health, biodiversity loss, and climate resilience, especially in ecologically fragile hill states.

Scale and spread of forest fires in the Northeast

• During the 2023–24 fire season, 20,587 square kilometres of land burned across the eight Northeastern states.
• Assam recorded the second-highest burnt area in the region with 419.20 square kilometres, while Meghalaya topped the list with 463.95 square kilometres.
• Other affected states include:
  • Manipur – 285.20 square kilometres
  • Mizoram – 243.76 square kilometres
  • Tripura – 190.47 square kilometres
  • Nagaland – 161.77 square kilometres
  • Arunachal Pradesh – 126.03 square kilometres
  • Sikkim – 2.08 square kilometres
• At the national level, 34,562 square kilometres of land were affected by forest fires during the same period.

What are forest fires?

• Forest fires are uncontrolled fires occurring in forested landscapes that damage vegetation, wildlife, soil quality, and ecosystem services.
• They may be surface fires (burning leaf litter and grass), crown fires (spreading across tree canopies), or ground fires (burning organic matter below the surface).

Causes of forest fires in the Northeast

• Climatic and natural factors
  • Prolonged dry spells, rising temperatures, and low soil moisture during winter and pre-monsoon months.
  • Accumulation of dry fuel load such as leaf litter, bamboo debris, and pine needles.
• Human-induced factors
  • Shifting cultivation (jhum) involves controlled burning, which sometimes spreads beyond intended areas.
  • Deliberate burning for fodder regeneration and clearing land.
  • Accidental ignition due to human presence near forests.
• Climate change effects
  • Erratic rainfall and warming trends are making forests more fire-prone, especially in hill ecosystems.

Ecological and social impacts

• Forest fires lead to loss of biodiversity, destruction of wildlife habitats, and fragmentation of forests.
• They degrade soil fertility, reduce water retention capacity, and increase erosion and landslides.
• Fires release large volumes of carbon dioxide, worsening climate change.
• Recurrent fires threaten livelihoods of forest-dependent communities and increase disaster vulnerability.

Government initiatives and monitoring

• Forest fire prevention and control is primarily the responsibility of State Forest Departments, supported by the Union Government.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change monitors forest fires using satellite data through the Forest Survey of India.
• The Forest Survey of India issues:
  • Pre-Forest Fire Alerts
  • Near Real-Time Forest Fire Alerts
  • Large Forest Fire Alerts
• A real-time national forest fire monitoring system is operational across high-risk states, including Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
• Biennial forest assessments are carried out under the India State of Forest Report.

Regional insights from NESAC

• The North Eastern Space Applications Centre conducted a dedicated study on forest fires in the region and suggested:
  • Mandatory fire break lines around jhum cultivation areas.
  • Removal of dry leaves and debris, especially near protected areas.
  • Collection of pine needles in Meghalaya for use as alternative fuel.
  • Installation of fire watchtowers, water tanks, and fire-fighting equipment in protected areas.
  • Large-scale public awareness campaigns on fire risks.
  • Promotion of alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on shifting cultivation.

Way forward

• Strengthening community-based fire management with local participation.
• Integrating traditional knowledge with modern early warning systems.
• Expanding climate-resilient land use practices and sustainable agriculture.
• Enhancing inter-state coordination in the Northeast for fire control.
• Investing in long-term ecological restoration of fire-affected landscapes.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaways

• Forest fires in the Northeast are increasingly climate-driven but human-amplified.
• Early warning systems, community participation, and livelihood diversification are critical.

Mains:
Discuss the causes and impacts of recurring forest fires in Northeast India and evaluate the effectiveness of existing institutional mechanisms for their management.

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