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and the technical resources required for sustaining a systematic forest fire management programme are
lacking in the country. Important forest fire management elements like strategic fire centres, coordination
among Ministries, funding, human resource development, fire research, fire detection system by using
satellite images, fire management, and extension programmes are missing. Taking into consideration the
serious nature of the problem, it is necessary to make some major improvements in the forest fire
management strategy for the country.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), Government of India, has prepared a National Master
Plan for Forest Fire Control. This plan proposes to introduce a well-coordinated and integrated firemanagement
programme that includes the following components:
• Prevention of human-caused fires through education and environmental modification. It will include
silvicultural activities, engineering works, people participation, and education and enforcement. It is
proposed that more emphasis be given to people participation through Joint Forest Fire Management
for fire prevention.
• Prompt detection of fires through a well coordinated network of observation points, efficient ground
patrolling, and communication networks. Remote sensing technology is to be given due importance in
fire detection. For successful fire management and administration, a National Fire Danger Rating
System (NFDRS) and Fire Forecasting System are to be developed in the country.
• Fast initial attack measures.
• Vigorous follow up action.
• Introducing a forest fuel modification system at strategic points.
• Firefighting resources.
Each of the above components plays an important role in the success of the entire system of fire
management. Special emphasis is to be given to research, training, and development.
Source: 1. Fire Situation in India (IFFN No. 26 - January 2002, p. 23-27) contribution submitted by: Vinod K. Bahuguna, Ministry
of Environment and Forests and Satendra Singh, Ministry of Rural Development.
2. Forest Fire Prevention and Control Strategies in India (IFFN No. 20 - March 1999,p. 5-9) by: Vinod K. Bahuguna, Deputy
Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.
3. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), India Program. (Source: http://www.wcsindia.org/index.htm)
4. Forest fires in India: policy initiatives for community participation [International Forestry Review 4(2),
2002], by V.K. BAHUGUNA Inspector General of Forest & A. Upadhyay Assistant Inspector General of Forests, MoEF, New
Delhi
WEB RESOURCES:
http://www.envfor.nic.in/ website of
Ministry of Environment and Forests.
http://www.teriin.org/jfm/jfm.htm website
of - The Energy and Resources Institute.
(Documentation of the JFM programme,
Tamil Nadu).
http://www.iifm.org/databank/index.html
Forest Information Service - a
comprehensive Internet information
bank on forest and related resources in
India and around the world, prepared by
Indian Institute of Forest Management,
Bhopal.
A large fraction of India's deciduous and
semi-deciduous forests is characterized by
open and frequently burned stands. To
reduce water stress the deciduous trees shed
their leaves during the dry season. These
fuels, together with the grass layer, allow the
development of low- and medium-intensity
surface fires almost every year. Many open
forests are even affected by fire twice or three
times per year.
Medium-intensity surface fire
in an open Southern Tropical
Dry Deciduous forest near
Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
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