Forest fires razed 24,000 hectares last year
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PUNE:
As many as 2,420 fires spread through 24,000 hectares of the state's
forest area in 2012-13, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 19 lakh,
the latest statistics available with the state forest department showed.
In the previous year, they consumed 72,247 hectares.
On an average over 42,000 hectares caught fire annually between 2005 and 2013, and the burning, in many cases, was intentional, officials said.
Fires can degrade the forest and lead to a loss of forested area. They are responsible for depleting forest cover and more importantly affect its regeneration process, said environmentalists. The department's data showed over 30,000 hectares of state-owned forests razed in 2005-06; 35,000 hectares in 2006-07; 46,000 hectares in 2007-08 and 59,000 hectares in 2008-09.
In 2006-07, over 35,000 hectares of state-owned forest area was burnt in 2685 forest fires, followed by over 46,000 hectares in 2007-08 and another 59,000 hectares in 2008-09. Between April 2012 to March 2013, over 24,000 hectares of forest area was burnt in about 2420 forest fires, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 19 lakh to the forest department.
A senior official of the forest department said in many cases people deliberately set fire to the forest floor to collect mahua flowers for its varied use. "Plucking of tendu leaves is another reason. Human negligence such as throwing a burning 'beedi' or cigarette into the forest leads to fires," he said.
Tendu leaves are used for making beedis and fires are deliberately lit during the plucking season to get better growth of young tendu plants which fetch better prices.
Forest fires usually burn the ground cover, but it can regenerate. "Controlled burning, which prevents destructive fires, have been adopted by the department as a preventive measure. Fire engines and fire-fighting equipment were given to the forest department in Vidarbha and Khandesh last year to fight forest fires," the official said.
Environmentalists said the burning affects regeneration of forests and harm the biodiversity of the forest floor. Small mammals, insects, birds and other species of the ecosystem fall prey, they added.
Vidya Athreya, wildlife biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society, India, said, "Ground fires in forests will kill seedlings and young plants. If the fire is severe, it will kill all in its way and affect forest cover."
Erach Bharucha, director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environmental Education and Research, said, "Any loss of forest area has a negative impact on biodiversity. However, in certain places, locals light fires to the forest floor for fresh grass for their cattle. An extensive research on forest fires and their individual managements is needed."
There is a reduction in the diversity of grass in forests because some species are more fire resistant and hence grow back, while some do not. Tree seedlings can die and this can ultimately affect the forest cover, Bharucha added.
Consumed by flames
2005-06: 30,834
2006-07: 35,681
2007-08: 46,960
2008-09: 59,625
2009-10: 30,759
2010-11: 38,467
2011-12: 72,247
2012-13: 24,064
(area in hectares)
On an average over 42,000 hectares caught fire annually between 2005 and 2013, and the burning, in many cases, was intentional, officials said.
Fires can degrade the forest and lead to a loss of forested area. They are responsible for depleting forest cover and more importantly affect its regeneration process, said environmentalists. The department's data showed over 30,000 hectares of state-owned forests razed in 2005-06; 35,000 hectares in 2006-07; 46,000 hectares in 2007-08 and 59,000 hectares in 2008-09.
In 2006-07, over 35,000 hectares of state-owned forest area was burnt in 2685 forest fires, followed by over 46,000 hectares in 2007-08 and another 59,000 hectares in 2008-09. Between April 2012 to March 2013, over 24,000 hectares of forest area was burnt in about 2420 forest fires, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 19 lakh to the forest department.
A senior official of the forest department said in many cases people deliberately set fire to the forest floor to collect mahua flowers for its varied use. "Plucking of tendu leaves is another reason. Human negligence such as throwing a burning 'beedi' or cigarette into the forest leads to fires," he said.
Tendu leaves are used for making beedis and fires are deliberately lit during the plucking season to get better growth of young tendu plants which fetch better prices.
Forest fires usually burn the ground cover, but it can regenerate. "Controlled burning, which prevents destructive fires, have been adopted by the department as a preventive measure. Fire engines and fire-fighting equipment were given to the forest department in Vidarbha and Khandesh last year to fight forest fires," the official said.
Environmentalists said the burning affects regeneration of forests and harm the biodiversity of the forest floor. Small mammals, insects, birds and other species of the ecosystem fall prey, they added.
Vidya Athreya, wildlife biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society, India, said, "Ground fires in forests will kill seedlings and young plants. If the fire is severe, it will kill all in its way and affect forest cover."
Erach Bharucha, director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environmental Education and Research, said, "Any loss of forest area has a negative impact on biodiversity. However, in certain places, locals light fires to the forest floor for fresh grass for their cattle. An extensive research on forest fires and their individual managements is needed."
There is a reduction in the diversity of grass in forests because some species are more fire resistant and hence grow back, while some do not. Tree seedlings can die and this can ultimately affect the forest cover, Bharucha added.
Consumed by flames
2005-06: 30,834
2006-07: 35,681
2007-08: 46,960
2008-09: 59,625
2009-10: 30,759
2010-11: 38,467
2011-12: 72,247
2012-13: 24,064
(area in hectares)
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