2016 Uttarakhand forest fires
In the summer of 2016, forest fires were noted in numerous places across the Indian state of Uttarakhand. These fires set mainly in pine forests in the slopes of the sub-Himalayan region produced clouds of smoke in the region and were highlighted in the Indian news media. Widespread comments led to the government taking action, deploying the National Disaster Response Force and making use of Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters fitted with "Bambi buckets" to douse the fires with water.[1] The forest department estimated that 3500 hectares of forest had been burnt.[2] Nearly 1600 fires were detected and rains on the 3rd of May helped in reducing the impact of fires which were brought under control on the 2nd of May.[3][4]
History
Human-made forest fires in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand have been a regular and historic feature. Major fires have been noted in 1911, 1921, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1945, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964, 196, 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1995. Some fires during 1921, 1930 and 1942 have been associated with people's movements against British Indian forestry policy and for Independence. Most of these fires occur in the Chir pine zone. Forests with chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) are very prone to fire but the pine itself is resistant and fires help in their regneration leading to an increase in the land covered by chir pine and a reduction of broad-leaved forest types including those dominated by oak species including Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora). Resin is harvested from these pines and fires are often intentionally set to remove the carpet of pine needles that come in the way of harvesting activity.[5] In June 1981, a blanket ban was introduced against felling of standing trees above 1000 m above sea level and this comes in the way of removing pine trees in areas where they are invading. A number of causes and motivations for setting fires have been noted which include:[6][7]
- set by honey collectors
- set by sal seed collectors
- to conceal illegal timber extraction
- to improve grass growth
- to scare away wild animals
- to encroach forest lands
- associated with political agitations and community conflicts
- accidental fires
Impacts
Fires destroy biodiversity directly and have more indirect long-term impacts including the encouragement of fire and pioneer species. It has been suggested that the dark carbon dust emitted by the fires deposited on Himalayan glaciers could hasten their melting. This could affect the hydrology of the rivers that are a source of water for human populations in northern India.[8]
References
- ↑ "Uttarakhand battles fire crisis". The Hindu. 1 May 2016.
- ↑ "Uttarakhand forest fire: Rain brings relief, death toll reaches seven". The Indian Express. 4 May 2016.
- ↑ "Showers help in fighting Uttarakhand forest fires". The Hindu. 4 May 2016.
- ↑ "Uttarakhand forest fire controlled: Rijiju". The Hindu. 2 May 2016.
- ↑ Chandran, Manoj; Sinha, A.R.; Rawat, R.B.S. (2011). Replacing controlled burning practice by alternate methods of reducing fuel load in the Himalayan long leaf pine(Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) forests (PDF). 5th International Wildland Fire Conference.
- ↑ Mehta, J.S. (1996). "Forest fires and land degradation in Uttarakhand". In Kumar, Kireet; Dhyani, P.P; Palni, L.M.S. Land Utilization in the Central Himalaya: Problems and Management Options. Indus Publishing. pp. 125–133.
- ↑ Bhandari, B.S.; Mehta, J.P.; Semwal, R.L. (2012). "Forest Fire in Uttarakhand Himalaya : An Overview". In Negi, GCS; Dhyani, P.P. Glimpses of Forestry Research in the Indian Himalayan Region (PDF). Almora: G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. pp. 167–175.
- ↑ "Uttarakhand forest fires could melt glaciers faster, say experts". The Times of India. 3 May 2016.