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Posted 24 Dec 2024

2 min read

  • MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer) and SNPP-VIIRS (Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership - Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) sensors have been used to detect forest fires.

Key Findings 

  • Total hotspots detected by the MODIS sensor were 26,390 & by the SNPP-VIIRS sensor were 2,03,544 in  2023-24. 
    • The number of hotspots detected by the MODIS sensor were 29,675 & those by the SNPP-VIIRS sensor were 2,23,333  in 2021-22.
  • Uttarakhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh reported the highest fire incidences in 2023-24.
  • Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir witnessed dramatic rises in forest fire incidents in 2023-24 as compared to 2022-23 fire season
  • Goa and Karnataka have witnessed steep declines in fire incidents

Impact of Forest Fires

  • Environmental Impact:
    • Release of greenhouse gases (emit 2.5 billion to 4.0 billion tons of CO2 annually) and stored carbon, contributing to global warming.
    • Loss of biodiversity and degradation of forest ecosystems.
  • Human and Wildlife Health:
    • Premature human and wildlife deaths  caused from smoke due to forest fires
    • Adversely impacts rural livelihoods and national economies.

Initiatives taken 

  • Van Agni Geo-portal of Forest Survey of India acts as a single point of information on forest fire
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: No person shall set fire to a sanctuary, or kindle any fire, or leave any fire burning, in a sanctuary, in such manner as to endanger such sanctuary.
  • Community participation through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) is promoted in forest fire management and control.
  • Tags :
  • Forest Fire
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