Forest fires Hotspot down in 2023-24 from 2021-22: India State of Forest Report 2023

Link copied successfully!

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

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.

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.