Forest Fires in Himachal Pradesh: Addressing Fire Risks and Implementing Solutions
The article was written by Ashpinder Kaur and Ishita Kumar, 3rd-year law students at HPNLU.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Himachal Pradesh, the second-best state in achieving targets under the Sustainable Development Index, might seem like a happy-go-lucky ride to one’s eyes; however, the flip side reveals a hidden cost to this prosperity which is unaccounted for. Currently basking in the bright sunlight and cool breeze, the hill state has faced one of the worst disasters in the past 100 years. According to the state government statistics, there have been a total of 2388 cases of forest fire in the current year, as collected by the HP Forest Department Website. The total area affected by a forest fire is 2800.945 hectares, out of which the natural area affected is 5286.915 hectares, and the plantation area affected is 20965.27, as per the HP Forest Department Website. These figures point to a significant gap in sustainable management and emergency preparedness, suggesting that the state’s developmental gains might be undermined by environmental neglect. It is imperative to scrutinize whether current policies and practices sufficiently protect the environment and consider long-term ecological impacts.
2. CAUSES OF FOREST FIRE:
The causes of forest fires have been divided into two types: environmental (beyond human control) and human-related (which can be controlled by the state).
2.1 Environmental Causes:
These are primarily related to climatic conditions such as a sudden rise in the temperature, wind speed, level of moisture in the soil, and duration of dry spells. In the current scenario, the forest officials also stated that the lower hills of the state have witnessed a rise in forest fires due to the hot weather. Forests quickly catch fire as high temperatures and dry grass and leaves, especially pine trees, create ideal conditions for sparking off a blaze.
2.2 Human Related Causes:
These are the results of human management and human actions. It includes both intentional and unintentional actions. One classic example is when people torch the grasslands bordering thick forests, hoping to get better fodder grass yield next year. Some even believe the smoke caused by grassland fires would result in rain. Throwing a burning cigarette in the forest results in alarming damage to wildlife. As per the HP Forest Department, 17,471 hectares of forest land have been damaged for these reasons.
3. IMPACT OF FOREST FIRE:
Forest Fires have wide-ranging effects, including ecological, economic, and social impacts on the environment and human life. They destroy vast areas of vegetation, leading to the loss of valuable timber resources and biodiversity and the depletion of wildlife habitats. The release of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from fires contributes to climate change and deteriorates air quality, posing health risks to nearby populations. Soil erosion and water runoff increase, leading to degraded water quality and disrupted ecosystems. Additionally, forest fires can cause significant economic losses, impacting tourism, forestry, and agriculture. The destruction of forests also reduces their capacity to act as carbon sinks, further exacerbating global warming. There is a loss of livelihood for tribal and rural people, as approximately 89.97% of the population lives in rural areas in Himachal Pradesh.
4. COMBATING THE CRISIS STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT:
In 1999, the government notified the Forest Fire Rules 1999, which prescribe various dos and don'ts regarding forest fires (Annexure -I). The state forests encompass approximately 2,750 kilometers of fire lines. These fire lines serve as barriers to prevent fire spread to adjacent areas, facilitating access for Rapid Response Teams to initiate counter-fire operations. The Forest Fire Prevention and Control Manual prescribes the clearance of these fire lines, which is typically incorporated into Forest Working Plans. Divisional Forest Officers are responsible for including the schedule for fire line clearance in the Divisional Fire Management Plan and promptly ensuring these prescriptions are implemented before the onset of the fire season. The state government announced last year that drones will be used to combat forest fires. In collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre, the Forest Survey of India has launched the Fire Alert Messaging System to provide satellite-based forest fire information. This system alerts registered forest field units down to the Beat level. Field staff can register on FSI's website, https://fsi.nic.in/, to receive these messages. Approximately 1,900 forest personnel are registered in the state for the fire alert SMS facility. So far, FAMS has proven to be a crucial tool for monitoring forest fires effectively. Despite these measures, the frequency and scale of forest fires in the state reveal significant gaps in implementation and preparedness.
5. CURRENT LEGAL PROVISIONS IN INDIA:
The Stockholm Declaration of 1972 was the first significant effort to conserve and protect the human environment internationally. As a result of this Declaration, the States were required to approve legislative mandates to preserve and improve the environment in the concerned State. Consequently, for that reason, the Indian Parliament inserted two Articles, i.e., 48–A and 51–A, in the Indian Constitution in 1976. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees a fundamental right to life and personal liberty, and the Supreme Court has interpreted the right to life and personal liberty to include the right to a natural, clean, and healthy [1] Environment. The Supreme Court, through its various landmark judgments in the field of the environment, has held that the mandate of the right to life includes the right to a clean and healthy environment, drinking–water, and an unpolluted atmosphere [2]. Forest is a ‘Concurrent’ subject under the legislative lists of the Constitution of India, which means that both the Centre and States are competent in enacting laws. The Indian Forest Act of 1927 and its progeny in the various states provide the overarching framework for forest management in India.
6. STRENGTHENING LEGISLATIVE MEASURES:
Despite the extensive legal framework for forest management in India and various state enactments, none of these legislations explicitly address the prevention, control, and impact of forest fires. To effectively address the issue of forest fires in India, the following legislative measures should be considered:
Amending existing laws like the Indian Forest Act of 1927 to include explicit provisions on forest fire prevention, management, and mitigation.
Introduce strict penalties for activities that increase the risk of forest fires, such as illegal logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, and careless disposal of flammable materials. Ensuring stringent enforcement of these laws.
7. THE ROAD AHEAD:
Recently, the Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the state government to intensify efforts to prevent and control forest fires; the court stated that much more needs to be done to combat the same. This remark reminds the state government of the gap between implementation and preparation. The lack of infrastructure poses one of the biggest problems, as the fire brigade cannot transport water to the location due to poor road maintenance and, in some cases, the complete absence of roads. The locals allege that neither the forest department nor fire departments responded to their information about regional fires. The lack of adequate fire prevention measures, such as controlled burns and the creation of firebreaks, combined with insufficient resources for rapid response teams, has exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, there has been a notable deficiency in public awareness campaigns to educate locals about the causes and prevention of forest fires.
To achieve the desired goal of effectively managing and mitigating forest fires, Himachal Pradesh must adopt a multi-faceted approach.
First and foremost, the state should invest in advanced fire detection and monitoring technologies, such as satellite surveillance and drone-based assessments, to ensure early identification and prompt response to forest fires.
Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate residents about the causes of forest fires and the importance of preventative measures. Engaging local communities in forest conservation efforts, including involving them in monitoring and reporting fires, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of prevention strategies.
Additionally, fostering collaboration with neighboring states and national agencies will enable a more coordinated and resourceful approach to forest fire management.
Through these concerted efforts, Himachal Pradesh can significantly reduce the occurrence and impact of forest fires, thereby protecting its valuable natural resources and biodiversity.
8. CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, Himachal Pradesh's persistent struggle with forest fires highlights the urgent need for a robust and comprehensive approach to disaster management and environmental conservation. The state must address the current gaps by investing in advanced fire detection and monitoring technologies, bolstering firefighting resources, and implementing effective fire prevention measures.
-ISHITA KUMAR & ASHPINDER KAUR
HPNLU
REFERENCES
[1] Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, Dehradun v. State of Uttar Pradesh, AIR 1988 SC 1037.
[2] Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar, AIR 1991 SC 420; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, AIR 2000 SC 1997.
Comments