(Source – The Hindu, Section – News, Page – 4) Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
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Context: |
● The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear petitions regarding Uttarakhand forest fires, with petitioners alleging 90% are man-made. ● Reports detail over 900 fire incidents in six months, prompting the government to deploy NDRF and Indian Air Force assets, while also considering cloud seeding techniques with IIT Roorkee. |
Analysis of the news:
- The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear petitions on Uttarakhand forest fires on Wednesday, with petitioners claiming 90% of the blazes were man-made.
- The Uttarakhand government has sought permission to file a status report by the next hearing and will be represented by its Deputy Advocate-General.
- Reports indicate over 900 incidents of fires in the past six months, damaging at least 1,100 hectares of forest land.
- 351 cases related to man-made forest fires were registered, involving 59 named individuals and 290 unidentified suspects.
- Uttarakhand recorded 20 fresh cases of forest fire on Monday, with one death reported.
- With the incidents of forest fires increasing every day, the government announced strict action, including invoking the Gangster Act against repeat offenders and booking them under property damage recovery laws.
- Coordination with IIT Roorkee for cloud seeding experiments to induce rainfall to control fires is underway to control forest fires.
Forest fires in India |
Forest fires in India: ● Approximately 36% of India’s forests are prone to frequent fires. ● 4% of the country’s forest cover is extremely prone to fire, while 6% is very highly fire-prone. ● States in northeastern India show the highest tendency for forest fires. ● Forest fires are prevalent in western Maharashtra, southern Chhattisgarh, central Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. ● Causes include man-made activities like deliberate fires (for grass growth, poaching), carelessness, farming-related activities, and friction of electricity cables with dry leaves. Reasons: ● Human Activities: Clearing land for agriculture, logging, and irresponsible disposal of cigarette butts contribute to forest fires. ● Climate Change: Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns create drier conditions, increasing fire risk. ● Lack of Awareness: Ignorance about fire prevention and inadequate fire management practices exacerbate the problem. ● Forest Mismanagement: Poor forest management practices, such as lack of controlled burns and firebreaks, contribute to fire spread. Way Forward: ● Preventive Measures: Implement strict regulations on land use and enforce fire prevention measures. ● Public Awareness: Educate communities on responsible forest practices and fire safety measures. ● Early Detection Systems: Invest in advanced technology for early detection of fires to enable prompt response. ● Capacity Building: Train firefighters and equip them with necessary resources to combat fires effectively. ● Collaboration: Foster cooperation between government agencies, local communities, and NGOs to address the issue collectively. ● Sustainable Forest Management: Adopt sustainable forestry practices to reduce fire risk and maintain ecosystem health. |
PYQ: Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2020) |
Practice Question: Discuss the socio-economic and environmental implications of the increasing incidences of forest fires in India. Suggest comprehensive measures for effective prevention, management, and mitigation strategies to address this growing challenge. (150 Words /10 marks) |