27 April 2021.

Introduction:

The Indian Air Force recently deployed two Mi-17V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Bucket to control the forest fires. The forest fires have been raging in the hills of south Mizoram.

Highlights:

• The Lunglei and Aizwal of Mizoram where the forest fires are currently raging is the most fire-prone zone in India according to the Forest Fire Disaster Management report, 2014.
•  So far, Lunglei has recorded 13,453 forest fires between 2003 and 2016.
• The fire season of the state is between February and May. The maximum incidents of fires are reported in the months of April and May.
• The state has increased number of forest fires due to Slash and burn or shifting cultivation, burning farm residues, collection of non-timber forest produces and clearance of land for other purposes.
• The VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) in  2021, has reported 1,604 fire alerts.

Forest Fire Disaster Management Report, 2014

• It was prepared by the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi.

Strengthening Forest Fire Management in India Report

• It was jointly prepared by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and World Bank.
• At least 60% of Indian districts are affected by forest fires.
• The states in the North East account for the greatest share of fire detections.
• The Central India is the largest area affected by forest fires.

Forest Survey of India, 2019

The Survey divided the forest fire prone into following zones:

• Extremely fire-prone areas accounted to 3.89% of total forest cover
• Very highly fire-prone areas accounted to 6.01%
• Highly fire prone areas: 11.50%

Together these three categories add up to 21.4% of forest cover.