Forest fires major contributor of carbon emissions in India: Study
Almost one-sixth of carbon dioxide emissions in India are a result of forest fires in protected areas, satellite data has revealed. Almost half of the protected areas have reported incidents of fire.
An analysis based on satellitedetected fire pixels by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Space Sciences, Kerala, has found that forest fires from protected areas emitted 16 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2014 —17.1% of the total emission.
Between 2006 and 2015, fires occurred in 281 of the 614 protected areas, largely in March and April when conditions are dry. There were 2,28,667 forest fires between 2006 and 2015.
National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community reserves in the country are protected areas. They comprise 1,10,596.89 sq km (11.46%) of the total natural vegetation – forests, scrubs and grasslands.
“Carbon emissions released from forest fires increase global warming and so, it is an environmental concern. Strict fire management policies have to be considered for protected areas to mitigate climate change and biodiversity conservation,” said the study led by C Sudhakar Reddy, a scientist from the forest and ecology division, National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO, Hyderabad.
Of India’s forests, 55% is prone
BETWEEN 2006 AND 2015, FIRES OCCURRED IN 281 OF THE 614 PROTECTED AREAS, LARGELY IN MARCH AND APRIL WHEN CONDITIONS ARE DRY
to recurrent fires. Scientists have recommended fire maps using medium and high-resolution satellite data, which could be used to analyse the extent of burnt forest area in the past 10 years, and also predict forest ecosystems that are vulnerable to fires.
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, however, said that “bureaucratic fire management” would not work and locals who live in these areas must be given their rights under the Forest Rights Act. This will motivate them to protect the forest.
“The land belongs to them. But these locals have been denied their rights for the past 10 years . If their rights are protected, they will help in controlling fires, among other things,” said Gadgil.
“Fire prevention policies must be considered with great care, including the use of prescribed fire to maintain a fire regime in the ecosystems. To develop more practical policies in protected areas, it is essential to integrate remotely-sensed information with the human population and socio-economics,” said the study that was carried out as part of ISRO’s National Carbon Project.