As climate change intensifies and human-induced deforestation continues, India is witnessing a rising trend in forest fires, threatening its biodiversity, carbon sinks, and local communities. Between November 2023 and June 2024, a staggering 2,03,544 forest fire incidents were recorded across the country, with states like Odisha (20,973), Uttarakhand (21,033), and Chhattisgarh (18,950) emerging as some of the worst-affected regions.

 

While forest fires are a natural phenomenon in certain ecosystems, the scale and frequency of recent incidents signal an alarming environmental crisis. The government has put in place several preventive measures, yet gaps in early warning systems, local-level preparedness, and resource mobilization continue to exacerbate the problem.

 

The Current State of India’s Forest Fires

 

1. The Scale of the Crisis

Satellite-based monitoring by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun has provided real-time data on forest fire detections. Some states reported particularly high incidences:

 

Odisha – 20,973 detections

Uttarakhand – 21,033 detections

Chhattisgarh – 18,950 detections

Madhya Pradesh – 15,878 detections

Maharashtra – 16,008 detections

Andhra Pradesh – 18,174 detections

 

While dense forest regions of central and eastern India remain the most vulnerable, even urban-adjacent areas like Delhi and Haryana recorded fire incidents, showing how rising temperatures and human activities are making forests more susceptible to burning.

 

These fires not only destroy vast tracts of forests but also lead to severe air pollution, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and displacement of forest-dependent communities. In states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, forest fires have directly contributed to rising temperatures and declining water resources.

 

2. Climate Change and Human Activities as Key Drivers

Forest fires are no longer just seasonal occurrences—they are increasingly driven by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and prolonged dry spells due to climate change. Additionally, human activities such as shifting agriculture, illegal encroachments, and land-use changes contribute significantly to the frequency and intensity of fires.

 

Government’s Response to the Crisis

 

1. National Action Plan on Forest Fire (NAPFF) - 2018

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has implemented a National Action Plan on Forest Fire (NAPFF) to:

• Improve resilience of forests against fire hazards

• Provide early warning alerts using satellite data and real-time monitoring.

• Enhance state and local-level response capacity

• Engage local communities in fire prevention efforts

 

State governments are also required to develop State Action Plans on Forest Fire (SAPFF) in alignment with the national policy framework.

 

2. State-Level Forest Fire Action Plans

Each state/UT is required to formulate localized action plans in line with the NAPFF. These State Action Plans focus on:

• Fire prevention measures such as fire lines and controlled burning

• Awareness campaigns for local communities

• Improved coordination between state forest departments and disaster management agencies

3. Early Warning and Real-Time Alerts

To enhance preparedness, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, provides:

• One-week advance pre-fire alerts

• Large forest fire alerts

• Near real-time fire alerts to state forest officials and subscribers

These alerts allow for better monitoring and rapid response, but implementation at the ground level remains inconsistent due to logistical and manpower constraints  at state-level coordination.

 

4. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Training

The government, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NDRF, has:

• Trained three NDRF battalions (150 personnel) specifically for large forest fire management

• Deployed NDRF teams to affected areas when needed

However, given the massive scale of forest fires across the country, these resources are inadequate and require further expansion.

5. Legal and Financial Support for Forest Fire Prevention

The protection of forests and Legal and Financial Support for Forest Fire Prevention

wildlife is primarily the responsibility of state governments, supported by key legal provisions:

• Indian Forest Act (1927)

• Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam (1980)

• Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

 

The Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPM) and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds are used to support state-level fire control efforts.

 

Despite financial support, many states struggle to utilize these funds effectively, resulting in inadequate preparedness and delayed response mechanisms.

 

The Climate Change Link: Forest Fires and Carbon Emissions

 

Forest fires contribute significantly to climate change, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and worsening air pollution.

 

India, with over 17% of the global population, has contributed only 4% of global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions (1850-2019), yet it remains highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters.

 

1. India’s Commitments Under the Paris Agreement

• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).

• Achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

 

India has already exceeded its initial targets:

• Emission intensity reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020 (surpassing the 33-35% target in the 2015 NDC).

• Non-fossil fuel installed capacity reached 47.10% in December 2024 (exceeding the 40% target).

2. India’s Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy

In November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy, committing to net-zero emissions by 2070. India’s forests have sequestered 30.43 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, creating an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes since 2005.

 

The increasing incidence of forest fires threatens this progress, making forest fire management a crucial pillar of India’s climate action strategy.

 

3. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

India’s climate policy framework, the NAPCC, includes nine national missions, focusing on:

• Renewable energy expansion

• Enhanced energy efficiency

• Water conservation and sustainable agriculture

 

Additionally, 34 states/UTs have formulated their own State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), aligning with national climate objectives.

 

The Way Forward: Strengthening India’s Forest Fire Response

 

To effectively combat forest fires, India must:

1. Expand AI-Based Early Warning Systems – Utilize AI-driven predictive models for better risk assessment and forecasting.

2. Strengthen Community Engagement – Train local forest-dependent communities for first-response efforts.

3. Enhance Fund Utilization – Streamline the allocation and disbursement of CAMPA and FPM funds for better preparedness.

4. Deploy Advanced Firefighting Infrastructure – Increase NDRF-trained battalions, introduce drone-based fire suppression systems, and improve state firefighting resources.

5. Introduce Stronger Legal Accountability – Enforce strict penalties for man-made forest fires caused by land encroachments, agriculture, and illegal logging.

6. Boost Reforestation Efforts – Promote fire-resistant native species to offset emissions from wildfires and strengthen India’s carbon sequestration capacity.

 

Conclusion: A Call for Multi-Stakeholder Action

 

India’s forest fire crisis is no longer just an environmental issue—it is a national policy challenge. While existing frameworks provide a strong foundation, their implementation remains inconsistent, leading to delayed response times, financial inefficiencies, and inadequate community engagement.

 

India must now shift from reactive fire control to proactive forest fire prevention, leveraging technology, legal reforms, and community-led initiatives.

 

Without decisive action, the rising frequency of wildfires will jeopardize biodiversity, worsen climate risks, and weaken India’s progress toward carbon neutrality. A coordinated effort—bringing together government agencies, technology experts, environmental policymakers, and local communities—is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of India’s forests and climate goals.

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