Our forests are burning, while funding is reducing

Over 1 million hectares of forest land in state engulfed in flames in past 4 years

Over the last four years, over 11 lakh (1.1 million) hectares of forest land (more than five times the size of Bengaluru) was burnt in forest fire in Karnataka.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, 3.7 lakh hectares of forest area was engulfed by 4,607 fire incidents. Last year (2022-23), nearly 3.8 lakh hectares were gutted in more than 5K fire incidents. In 2021-22, a little over 3.4 lakh hectares were burnt, followed by nearly 70,000 hectares in 2020-21.

This is while the Karnataka Forest Department spent Rs 6,723.59 lakh in various fire protection activities during the given four years.

Experts say the incinerated area is huge and can be brought down given the department follows certain measures.

“Preparedness, monitoring, and accountability by the department would play important roles in forest fire management. The most critical period in fire management is between February and April. Forest biomass starts to dry up in mid-February, and this would be an apt time to create fire lines. Apart from taking up all fire management activities such as fire line creation, the department should ensure an adequate number of fire watchers on the ground. While preventive measures are important, preparedness to fight fire incidents is the key,” said DV Girish, a wildlife conservationist and forest fire expert.

Budgetary allocation is an important aspect of efficient forest fire management. The department’s data shows that while the total cost of fire protection in 2020-21 was Rs 2016.28 lakh, it was Rs 1777.12 lakh in 2023-24.

Experts say high weed density across Karnataka forests is also one reason for large fire incidents. According to an estimate by the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) on the extent of the weed’s invasion a year ago, while the majority of the forest landscape in the state had a 20% and 60% density of weeds, some pockets recorded a weed density of up to 80%.

Apart from fire management activities such as fire line creation, the dept should ensure an adequate number of fire watchers on ground­–DV Girish, wildlife conservationist

Weeds like lantana and senna grow fast, reach heights, and have woody biomass, which makes the fires spread faster.

“Once these woody weeds catch fire, it spreads fast through cinders. Cinders from one tree jump to another, creating big fires, and engulfing large forest areas. Given the spread of these weeds, the department must act on a war footing. A majority of the forest landscape is covered in these exotic weeds, aggravating forest fire incidents. The department must focus on bringing in CSR funding and encouraging NGOs to free our forests,” said Joseph Hoover, former State Board of Wildlife member and founder of the United Conservation Movement and Charitable Trust.