Hyderabad: Telangana’s forests are battling an unprecedented fiery disaster, with forest hearth incidents skyrocketing from 12,927 circumstances in 2017 to a staggering 13,497 in 2024, in accordance with the India State of Forest Report 2023. This rise has catapulted Telangana to seventh place amongst Indian states and union territories with the very best variety of hearth incidents.
The report sheds mild on the severity of the state of affairs, highlighting Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts among the many high 10 districts nationwide for forest hearth incidents. Between November 2023 and June 2024, Telangana recorded a 3,983.28 sq km of burnt forest space, , trailing Andhra Pradesh (5,286.76 sq km) and Maharashtra (4,095.04 sq km).
“Forest fires have been an integral a part of forest ecosystems, enjoying a pivotal function in shaping their conservation and administration. Despite their advantages by way of facilitating regeneration and clearing forest flooring, the losses related to fires far outweigh these advantages. Dry winters and delayed monsoons result in heightened hearth occasions inflicting intensive injury,” learn the report, including, “Additionally, human negligence regularly results in forest fires. The penalties of such fires are substantial, encompassing human casualties, biodiversity depletion, habitat destruction, decreased manufacturing, panorama degradation, and disturbances to livelihoods.”
Negligent practices
The warmth can also be on the state’s tiger reserves. The Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve witnessed a spike in hearth incidents from 1,919 in 2019 to 2,644 in 2024, whereas the Amrabad Tiger Reserve noticed numbers climb from 897 to 1,224 throughout similar interval.
Forest officers attribute about 80% of those fires to human actions, pointing to negligent practices like beedi smoking by shepherds and cowherds, in addition to slash-and-burn agricultural strategies employed by farmers. Intentional fires for land encroachment are additionally prevalent in rural areas, exacerbating the state of affairs.
“Agricultural actions equivalent to burning crop residues by way of managed burns may get uncontrolled and result in wildfires. Sparks from equipment or energy strains may ignite dry vegetation, particularly throughout sizzling and windy circumstances.,” stated a forest division official.
