Question : FOREST FIRE

(a) whether incidents of fire in forests in various parts of the country have risen;

(b) if so, the details of the major forest fires reported during the last three years and the current year, State-Wise including Andhra Pradesh;

(c) whether forest fires are a major cause of degradation of country’s forest cover endangering flora and fauna and adjoining human habitations;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to check such incidents and also to extinguish fire immediately without harming the property, cattle and vegetation?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) &(b) As per the report received from Forest Survey of India (FSI), there is a marginal increase in incidents of forest fires so far in the current year compared to last year i.e. 2013. Forest fire incidents in various parts of the country are recurrent phenomena. More than 50% of the country’s forest area is prone to forest fires. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) monitors forest fires on a daily basis during the fire season using satellite data and fire information is sent to the concerned States/UTs to take immediate action for controlling these fires. As per the FSI report, the numbers of forest fire incidents communicated by FSI to the State Forest Departments during last three years and current year are given in the Annexure. Recently, a major fire broke in Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, wherein, around 500-600 Ha area was affected.

(c) &(d) Forest fires do cause degradation of forest cover and soil and endanger the flora and fauna and adjoining human habitations. Details of such degradations are not compiled at the level of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

(e) Measures taken by State/UT Governments for protection of forests from fires include creation and maintenance of fire lines in forest areas, engaging fire watchers, establishing forest camps, regular patrolling by forest personnel etc. Support of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) is also taken in this regard. Government of India also provides funds to States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Intensification of Forest Management Scheme’ (IFMS) largely to supplement the efforts of State/UT Governments.