Forest fires in Uttarakhand

• Uttarakhand has been grueling with forest fires since past few days.
• The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital district.
• Since November there have been 930 incidents of forest fires occurred in the state, resulting in more than 1,196 hectares of forest being engulfed in flames.
• The highest number of 491 incidents occurred in Kumaon and 365 incidents in Garhwal, while 74 cases are within wildlife sanctuaries.”

ABOUT FOREST FIRES

• An uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural forests, grasslands which consumes natural fuels (dry leaves) and spreads in vast area.
• The forest fire season in India lasts between November to June.
• Factors like temperatures, precipitation, vegetation, and moisture contribute to the scale and frequency of these fires.
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) website states that nearly 36 per cent of India’s forests are prone to frequent fires.
• Higher forest fire incidents are reported in India during March, April and May, due to the ample availability of dry biomass following the end of winter and the prevailing summer season.