Forest fires in the hills not only harm the environment but also play havoc with people’s lives
While visiting the mountains, one may frequently encounter the sight of flickering lights in the distance, prompting thoughts about whether they signify distant lights or just an illusion. Unfortunately, more often than not, these flickers turn out to be forest fires, a recurring phenomenon each year before the onset of the monsoon. Uttarakhand, boasting a substantial forest cover spanning 53.48 lakh hectares, grapples with the challenge of forest fires, which escalated to a staggering 2,131 incidents in 2022 alone. These blazes ravaged over 3,348 hectares of land, resulting in a financial loss amounting to Rs 87.31 lakh.
Located 14 kilometres away from the Kapkot block in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, nestles Pothing village in the foothills of the Himalayas. With a population of slightly more than 2,000 people, Pothing is known for its abundance of natural resources. However, continuous forest fires have become a source of distress for the residents, and even the animals are succumbing to diseases. The smoke rising from the forest fires is proving to be highly detrimental for the people, and it is adversely affecting the environment as well.
Pooja, an adolescent girl from the village highlights how the smoke emanating from the forest fires pollutes the entire village. “We are having difficulty breathing. Due to the outbreak of fires, a blanket of fog has enveloped the entire village. New diseases are emerging among people and animals,” Pooja expressed.
Although periodic fires are required to maintain ecological balances, recurring fires have a larger implication for the weather as they lead to the melting of Himalayan glaciers apart from increasing diseases among humans and animals.
Khakhauti Devi, a 65-year-old woman from the village, holds the belief that a significant number of these fires are human-induced. She pointed out that it's often individuals within the village itself who deliberately ignite these fires, particularly those who own substantial herds of cows, buffaloes, and goats. Their rationale is rooted in the notion that after the forest is burnt, fresh grass will emerge, providing a more abundant source of fodder for their livestock. Moreover, Khakhauti Devi noted that smokers also contribute to the occurrence of forest fires. In her observation, when people venture into the forest to gather firewood or forage, some engage in smoking. Unfortunately, in the process, lit matchsticks or bidi ends are sometimes carelessly discarded, inadvertently sparking forest fires.
Neha, another adolescent girl from the village, expressed that they are not even aware of the diseases that are spreading among the cattle. According to her, these diseases occur due to the increased heat from the fires. Supporting Neha’s statement, Shanti Devi,47, a woman from the village highlights due to smoke and the heat, small lesions form on animals. Once these lesions burst, they ooze blood, making the animals ill. “It's time for sowing crops, but the animals are falling sick. In such a situation, farming is incurring the most damage. Apart from this, there is also a shortage of firewood for cooking. Earlier, groups of women used to go into the forests where fodder, flowers, fruits, and firewood were easily obtainable. However, this year, a fire broke out in the forest, turning everything into ashes,” Shanti highlighted.
Apart from human activities, forest fires are also caused naturally due to excessive heat and low moisture as dry branches catch fire after they rub against one another. However, according to Pushpa Devi, more incidents of forest fires are breaking out in Pothing due to human negligence. “Due to a lack of awareness, people unknowingly are destroying the forest with their own hands. They are not aware of its adverse consequences. Similar to cities, pollution levels here have started to rise.” Emphasized Pushpa Devi, the Sarpanch of the village.
However, addressing forest fires requires more than just raising awareness among people. Out of the total forest land in Uttarakhand, 26 per cent is covered by Chir Pine trees. While human activities undoubtedly play a significant role, it is crucial to delve further into identifying alternative species that can be cultivated to replace Chir Pine, as this particular tree species creates conditions that are conducive to fires.
(The writer is a student from Pothing village in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand)