Up in Smoke: Forest Fires in the Himalayas

Each summer, tourists escape the scorching heat of the plains for the cool heights of the Himalayas. But instead of pristine skies and clean air, they often encounter a smoky haze and flames flickering across the hillsides. While these fiery scenes make for gripping Instagram reels, they tell only part of the story. Forest fires in the Himalayas have become an annual crisis, influenced by human activity, climate change, and inadequate management. To address this growing problem, it is essential to understand its roots and explore effective solutions.

The Global Picture

As the world grapples with climate change, forest fires have come in the spotlight as a major cause of carbon emissions. In 2022, an estimated 5.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted by forest fires – which is more than the total annual fossil fuel emissions of the USA! A quarter of tree cover loss in the past twenty years is on account of forest fires. As climate change accelerates, forest fires are expected to grow more severe. This has worrying implications for the Himalayas.

Understanding Himalayan Forest Fires

Forest fires in the Himalayas differ from other parts of the world. For one, almost all Himalayan fires are caused by humans. Two-thirds of Himalayan fires are estimated to be intentional, while most of the remaining third are accidental. Natural causes such as lightning strikes, which are common ignition sources in many regions, are rare in the Himalayas. Secondly, Himalayan fires are small, often only a few hectares and rarely exceeding a few square km. This is miniscule compared to the massive wildfires that make headlines in Australia, Canada or the US which can cover areas hundreds of times larger. Thirdly, most fires in the Himalaya are low intensity ground fires which spread along the surface of the ground burning grasses, shrubs and low vegetation. While the leaves of trees may get scorched, recovery occurs quickly. Within months the scars of these fires are healed by the monsoon rains. These surface fires contrast with the intense crown fires that devastate large tracts of forests in the US and Canada burning through tree canopies. Crown fires are uncommon in the Himalaya and only occur during severe fire years. Forest recovery after a crown fire is slow as standing trees are killed, and the landscape takes decades to recover.

The Role of Climate Change

While the above may suggest that Himalayan fires are less of a concern than social media would suggest, there are worrying trends. The Himalayas are warming faster than the global average and climate change is exacerbating forest fires. Rainfall patterns are recorded as being more erratic with an increase in the number of continuous dry days in the pre-monsoon season. These lengthening dry periods, along with warming temperatures and reduced humidity, create ideal conditions for fires to spread more rapidly and with greater intensity. The fire season is also growing longer, and fires occur much earlier in the spring than in the past.

Additionally, as mountain communities become more affluent, they rely less on forests for biomass products like fuelwood and fodder. While this shift has been celebrated for reducing forest degradation, it also leads to a buildup of combustible materials like dry leaves and fallen wood, increasing the risk of intense fires. Anecdotal evidence suggests that destructive crown fires are becoming more common, and this is cause for worry. Forest fires and biomass burning also lead to the production of fine particulate matter or ‘black carbon’, which absorbs heat and exacerbates atmospheric warming. Black carbon also gets deposited on Himalayan glaciers, decreasing their reflectivity and causing them to absorb heat. Glaciers with this carbon deposition melt faster. In addition, fires release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which also enhances warming. Forest fires thus enhance climate warming, which in turn leads to more forest fires, forming a feedback loop. This is particularly concerning given India’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions under international agreements like the Paris Agreement. If forest fires continue to increase in frequency and intensity, they could undermine national efforts to meet these climate targets.

Ecological and Economic Impacts

The expansion of Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) forests is important when discussing fire management. Chir is a native species well-adapted to fire. It dominates many Himalayan forests especially in Uttarakhand. While resilient to surface fires, Chir forests have low biodiversity, and its needles are highly flammable. As fire-resistant oak forests are degraded or replaced by pine, fire risks worsen. Revisiting forest policies to better manage pine stands could reduce fire vulnerability and promote resilient ecosystems.

The ecological impacts of forest fires in the Himalayas are far-reaching. While low-intensity surface fires may promote biodiversity and fodder availability, repeated fires can have devastating long-term effects on ecosystem health. Young plantations and regenerating forests are particularly vulnerable, and their destruction can compromise future sources of income for communities that rely on forest products. In addition, forest fires can degrade water supplies by damaging watersheds that feed rivers and streams in the region.

Managing Forest Fires

Technological advancements have played a role in fire management. India has made significant progress in early fire detection through satellite-based systems and real-time alerts. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) have developed tools that allow state forest departments to monitor fire-prone areas and respond more quickly to outbreaks.

However, technology alone cannot solve the problem. Given that almost all Himalayan fires are of human origin, the ultimate solution lies in understanding how they are caused and finding solutions to prevent or at least greatly reduce fire occurrence. The importance of spreading awareness both among tourists and local communities cannot be overstated.

Traditional methods to restrict fires, such as creating fire lines, clearing of dry vegetation, and controlled burning were effective but have declined over the years. The blanket ban on green felling, while intended to protect forests, hampered efforts to treat fire-prone areas. As rules have recently been rationalised, it is hoped that these techniques will be enhanced and reimplemented. Without proper maintenance of firebreaks and fuel reduction strategies, forests become vulnerable to devastating fires.

“Technological advancements have played a role in fire management. India has made significant progress in early fire detection through satellite-based systems and real-time alerts.”

When fires occur, quick response to contain them is the best solution. Given the isolation and difficult terrain of the region, it is local communities that offer the best hope of combating Himalayan fires. Historically, local communities have played a central role in fire management. However, as rural livelihoods become increasingly disconnected from forests, this link has weakened. To address this, it is essential to rekindle community involvement through incentives and support. A promising solution discussed during a 2022 workshop organised by the Centre for Ecology Development and Research (CEDAR) involves training and incentivising local youth and developing a cadre of ‘Agni Rakshaks’. These community-based firefighters would serve as the first line of defence against fires and be equipped with modern fire safety gear and specialised training. Quick response can prevent small fires from escalating into large-scale disasters.

Additionally, registering village forests in carbon markets could provide financial incentives for communities to protect their forests. By earning carbon credits for preventing fires, local communities would have a tangible stake in forest conservation efforts.

Moving Forward: Policy and Action

To mitigate forest fires in the Himalayas, policymakers must adopt a comprehensive approach. This includes developing long-term fire management plans, launching public awareness campaigns to promote fire-safe behaviour, improving local firefighting capacity, and encouraging community involvement. Continued research into the ecological impacts of fires and the effectiveness of different fire management strategies is crucial. With climate change expected to make fire seasons longer and more intense, it is more important than ever to invest in fire prevention, detection, and response. Doing so can help mitigate some of the impacts of climate change and protect the unique Himalayan ecosystems for future generations.