Haryana Faces Alarming Surge in Forest Fires: Urgent Action Needed to Combat Crisis

In a concerning trend for Haryana, the number of forest fires has surged more than twofold from the previous fiscal year, with incidents rising from 82 in FY 2022-23 to a staggering 166 in FY 2023-24. This alarming increase, highlighted in the recent Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, necessitates urgent action from the state government to devise an effective mitigation strategy. The data reveals a significant uptick in farm fires across several districts, particularly Ambala, Faridabad, Panchkula, and Yamunanagar. While Ambala recorded just six forest fires in the previous fiscal year, it faced a sharp increase to 19 in FY 2023-24. Faridabad, which had reported no incidents in the previous year, saw 12 fires this year. Panchkula's situation was even more drastic, witnessing a six-fold increase from five to 29 fires. Yamunanagar, too, was not spared, with its fire incidents escalating from 19 to 73, marking nearly a four-fold rise. Conversely, other districts like Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, and Jind remained largely unaffected, highlighting a geographic disparity in the occurrence of these fires. However, a silver lining in the ISFR report indicates that 93.9% of the state's forested area, totaling 1,680 square kilometers, is not prone to fires. Only minor portions are categorized as moderately (4.5%, or 79.7 sq km) and highly (1.6%, or 28.9 sq km) prone to such incidents, with no areas classified as highly or extremely prone to forest fires. A Haryana forest official emphasized the necessity for immediate action, stating, "The increase in forest fires across various districts highlights the need for immediate action. We are focusing on improving our fire detection systems, increasing patrolling, and raising awareness among local populations to prevent such incidents in the future." This proactive approach is essential, as experts suggest that policymakers leverage this data to enhance forest management plans and allocate resources effectively. Debadityo Sinha, lead for climate and ecosystems at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, stressed the urgency of the situation: "This significant increase in forest fires calls for immediate action to protect these vital ecosystems. It underscores the importance of targeted fire management practices to safeguard the more vulnerable areas and prevent the spread of fires." He noted that many forest fires can often be attributed to human activity, stressing the need for the state to take decisive measures to address the rising trends. Environmental activist Vaishali Rana echoed these sentiments, asserting that understanding the patterns and causes of forest fires will enable the state to better prepare for and protect its forests. "By comprehensively analyzing these incidents, the state can implement effective strategies, ensuring that our forests continue to thrive for generations to come." As Haryana grapples with this growing threat, it is crucial for government officials, environmentalists, and local communities to collaborate on comprehensive strategies to safeguard the state’s rich ecological heritage. The data from the ISFR serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging stakeholders to prioritize forest fire prevention in the face of this alarming trend.