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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.