Answer

A forest fire is an uncontrolled and rapid spread of fire in forested areas due to natural or anthropogenic factors, causing loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and air pollution. As per ISFR 2021, more than 36% of the country’s forest cover was estimated to be prone to frequent forest fires. 

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Factors behind Increasing Incidents of Forest Fires in India

Natural factors

• Rising Temperatures & Extended Dry Spells: Increased heatwaves and prolonged dry seasons due to climate change create ideal conditions for fire ignition and spread.
  For example: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that 2023 was the second warmest year since 1901, exacerbating fire risks in central and northern India.
• Strong Winds & Low Humidity: Dry and windy conditions accelerate the spread of forest fires, making fire control efforts challenging.
  For example: In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, strong pre-monsoon winds rapidly expanded fires in 2023, causing extensive damage.
• High Flammability of Certain Vegetation: Dry pine needles and dry leaves act as natural fuel, making forests more susceptible to catching fire.
  For example: In Uttarakhand, vast pine forests with resin-rich needles increase the frequency and intensity of fire outbreaks.

Anthropogenic Factors

• Deliberate Land Clearing : Farmers set fire to forests to clear land for agriculture and practice  Slash-and-Burn Agriculture, often leading to uncontrolled wildfires.
  For example: Odisha and Chhattisgarh witnessed massive fires in 2023, largely due to traditional shifting cultivation practices.
• Unattended Campfires: Tourists and local villagers often leave campfires or burn debris, leading to accidental fires.
  For example: In Karnataka’s Bandipur National Park, a major fire in 2023 was traced to negligence by visitors.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Poachers set controlled fires to trap animals, which sometimes spiral into large-scale forest fires.
  For example: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra reported forest fires caused by illegal hunting activities in national parks like Pench and Tadoba.

Effectiveness of Existing Policies

• Strengthened Institutional Framework: The National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF) and Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) have institutionalized fire management strategies, ensuring coordinated efforts at central and state levels.
  For example: The FFPMS helped establish specialized fire response teams in Uttarakhand, improving response times and fire containment efforts.
• Use of Satellite-Based Monitoring: India leverages ISRO’s remote sensing technology and the Forest Fire Alert System to detect and monitor fires in real time.
  For example: The Van Agni mobile app developed by FSI provides geo-tagged fire alerts, aiding early detection and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer) for alerting State Forest Departments about forest fire.
• Community Engagement Efforts: Some states involve local self-help groups (SHGs) and villagers in fire prevention through awareness drives and controlled burning techniques.
  For example: In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, women’s SHGs collect pine needles, preventing forest floor accumulation that can fuel large fires.
• Technology Integration in Monitoring: Use of drones has been piloted in Odisha and Tamil Nadu to detect fires early and track fire spread.
  For example: Odisha’s Forest Fire Risk Zonation Mapping initiative uses remote sensing to prioritize fire-prone areas, aiding preventive measures.
• Policy Coordination Among Agencies: The integration of FSI, IMD, and ISRO data has enhanced fire prediction capabilities but remains underutilized at the local governance level.
  For example: ISRO’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) provides satellite-based alerts, but district forest officers often lack real-time access.

Shortcomings of Existing Policies

• Budget Constraints and Fluctuating Allocation: FFPMS funds are inadequate and inconsistent, limiting long-term investment in fire prevention and rapid response capabilities.
  For example: The 2023-24 budget was initially projected at ₹51 crore but revised to ₹40 crore, delaying planned infrastructure upgrades.
• Weak Implementation of Fire Prevention Strategies: Despite policies, fire lines, buffer zones, and controlled burning are not maintained effectively in many forested regions.
  For example: In Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, lack of proper firebreaks led to over 10,000 acres burning in 2019, causing habitat destruction.
• Lack of Trained Firefighting Personnel: Most forest departments lack dedicated fire brigades, relying on general forest staff, who have minimal fire safety training.
  For example: In Similipal National Park, Odisha, local forest guards struggled to contain fires due to the absence of specialized firefighting equipment and personnel.
• Limited Community Involvement: Community participation remains limited, despite their role in early detection and prevention of fires. Awareness and incentives for engagement are inadequate.
  For example: Nepal’s Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) have reduced forest fire occurrences, but India lacks a similar structured community-driven mechanism.
• Gaps in Technology and Data Adoption : Predictive fire models exist, but state-level integration and ground-level implementation are weak, leading to slow response.
  For example: In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, despite satellite monitoring systems, ground personnel receive alerts too late, reducing intervention effectiveness.

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Measures to Enhance Forest Fire Management

• Increase Budget Allocation: Ensure consistent, long-term funding to FFPMS, allowing states to invest in firefighting infrastructure, personnel training, and technology.
  For example: The U.S. Forest Service allocates a dedicated wildfire fund, ensuring stable financial resources for fire suppression and prevention strategies.
• Adopt Advanced Predictive Technologies: Integrate AI-driven risk mapping, satellite-based monitoring, and drone surveillance for accurate, real-time fire alerts.
  For example: Australia’s Bushfire Prediction Model uses AI and weather data to anticipate fire spread and guide firefighting efforts proactively.
• Strengthen Community-Based Fire Prevention Programs: Establish village fire management groups and train local youth as “forest fire scouts”, incentivizing early reporting and mitigation.
  For example: Indonesia’s Fire-Free Village Program (FFVP) has successfully reduced wildfires, using community involvement and fire prevention education.
• Enhance Firefighting Capacity: Develop specialized forest fire brigades, equipped with modern tools, drones, and thermal cameras, to improve response efficiency.
  For example: The U.S. Hotshot Crews are elite wildfire fighters trained for rapid deployment in high-risk zones, reducing fire impact significantly.
• Multi-Agency Coordination: Ensure seamless collaboration between FSI, IMD, ISRO, and local forest departments, using a centralized fire management dashboard.
  For example: In Canada, the National Wildland Fire Information System consolidates data from meteorological, remote sensing, and ground reports, improving fire response.

Strengthening community-led fire management, enhancing real-time satellite monitoring (FAST 3.0), and improving inter-agency coordination can boost fire prevention. The 2023 G20 Presidency emphasized climate-resilient forest governance, highlighting the need for higher budgetary allocation and stricter enforcement of fire mitigation strategies to align with India’s net-zero and biodiversity conservation goals.

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