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STATE LEVEL

(Year 2016 Fire Season)

FOREST DEPARTMENT

UTTARAKHAND

1

INTRODUCTION:

Uttarakhand is a forest and biodiversity rich Himalayan state with 45.32% of its

geographical area under forest cover. It is the only north Indian state to have more than 33% of

area under forest cover. On including the alpine pastures and permanently snowbound areas most

of which are recorded as forests, the total area recorded as forests is as high as 71.05% (Forest

Survey of India, 2015). Forests are of special importance because of their utility for maintaining

the environment and ecological balance and as a natural resource, forests provide timber,

fuelwood, fruits, fodder and various medicinal herbs and other important non timber forest

produce. The day-to-day life of villagers living nearby forests depends upon it. Forest are also

habitat of our valuable wildlife. So, it is very essential to protect these forests from fire.

REASONS BEHIND FOREST FIRES :

1. Lack of moisture in the forests: While most parts of the state receive more than 1500mm of

annual precipitation, it is mostly concentrated over the three monsoon months leaving a

very long period of nearly nine months of scanty precipitation. It is this long dry spell and

the deciduous nature of the forests, which make them vulnerable to forest fires. The

rains/snow in winter months is thus crucial in maintaining moisture levels on the forest floor

which helps in preventing forest fires from becoming large conflagrations. If preceding

winter is devoid of precipitation which makes the forest floor biomass too dry and extremely

vulnerable to fires.

2. The hills of Uttarakhand are dotted with villages more so in the middle Himalayan zone

between 1000 and 2000m with high dependence on forests for their basic needs. This

happens to be the zone which is the driest and often has large expanses of Chir Pine forests.

As a traditional annual practice, people living in these villages have been burning the forest

floor near their villages and pasture lands to get rid of the dry leaf litter particularly the

slippery Chir Pine needles, and to ensure fresh grass growth for their livestock. On a normal

year sufficient ground moisture and intermittent showers through the winter and spring

ensure that such fires usually do not go out of control but if there is no winter rains, many of

these fires go out of control.

3. Fires also sometimes escape from agricultural fields where burning of agricultural biomass

residue is a common practice not only in Uttarakhand but the entire country. Near urban and

semi-urban centres, burning of garbage which is often dumped close to forest areas is a

regular practice and sometimes fires spread into forests from such dumps which keep

smoldering for hours often days.

4. The hilly mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand makes it very difficult to control fires.

Reaching the site of forest fires which are often away from road-head is difficult. Many a

times there are no foot tracks/bridle paths to reach such sites.

5. While with the help of technology, detection of fires is now reasonably fast but response

time to reach the site is still not as quick as it should be. Most of the forest ranges have

usually one vehicle to move the man-power to the site of fires but in peak fire season there

are often simultaneous multiple fires in each range making it necessary to have multiple

vehicles for movement of fire fighting crews.

2

BASIC FOREST STATISTICS OF UTTARAKHAND

Total Geographical Area Of The State: 53, 483 Sq. Km

Forest area under Forest Department: 25863.18 Sq. Km.

Forest area under Revenue Department: 4768.70 Sq. Km.

Forest area under Van Panchayats: 7350.85 Sq. Km.

Forest area under Other Agencies: 156.40 Sq. Km.

Total Forest area: 38139.18 Sq.Km.( about 71% of TGA)

(SOURCE: UTTARAKHAND FOREST STATISTICS 2013-14)

MAP-1

Map Showing Forest Cover In Uttarakhand:

3

Table – 1. NAME OF TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS, CIRCLES AND ZONES OF UTTARAKHAND

S.N. Name of Division Reserved Protected

Unclassed

and

vested

Total Forest

Area (2+3+4)

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 Bageshwar 66236.20 0.00 107.62 66343.82

2 Almora 61082.03 0.00 119.61 61201.64

3 Civil Soyam Almora 11108.00 0.00 0.00 11108.00

4 Pithoragarh 75583.12 0.00 144451.00 220034.12

5 Champawat 65980.12 0.00 117.17 66097.29

North Kumaon Circle 279989.47 0.00 144795.40 424784.87

6 Nainital 59607.50 507.07 0.00 60114.57

South Kumaon Circle 59607.50 507.07 0.00 60114.57

7 Haldwani 59578.80 0.00 0.00 59578.80

8 Tarai East 81847.19 582.73 0.00 82429.92

9 Tarai West 34461.44 223.79 121.40 34806.63

10 Tarai Central 40440.12 56.85 0.00 40496.97

11 Ramnagar 48442.30 293.60 1.00 48736.90

Western Circle 264769.85 1156.97 122.40 266049.22

Total Kumaon

Zone 604366.82 1664.04 144917.80 750948.65

12 Tehri 143268.90 0.00 0.00 143268.90

13 Uttarkashi 224370.60 9.98 0.00 224380.58

14 Narendranagar 62107.70 0.00 0.00 62107.70

Bhagirathi Circle 429747.20 9.98 0.00 429757.18

15 Mussoorie 39072.30 0.00 10.63 39082.93

16 Tons 62208.97 0.00 0.00 62208.97

17 Upper Yamuna Barkot 74394.50 0.00 2.63 74397.13

18 Chakrata 36168.40 4288.46 14.11 40470.97

Yamuna Circle 211844.17 4288.46 27.37 216160.00

4

19 Garhwal 70161.80 0.00 0.00 70161.80

20 Rudraprayag 59867.26 0.00 0.00 59867.26

21 Badrinath 134645.10 0.00 0.00 134645.10

Garhwal Circle 264674.16 0.00 0.00 264674.16

22 Dehradun 49370.50 0.00 1111.48 50481.98

23 Lansdoene 41551.70 1775.90 15.30 43342.90

24 Soil Conservation Kalsi 23318.50 0.00 2.80 23321.30

25 Haridwar 33037.96 2123.00 3913.15 39074.11

Shivalik Circle 147278.66 3898.90 5042.73 156220.29

Total Garhwal

Zone 1053544.19 8197.34 5070.10 1066811.63

26 Rajaji National Park 85162.46 0.00 0.00 85162.46

27 Nanda devi National

Park 79908.90 0.00 0.00 79908.90

28 Kedarnath Wildlife

Division 135145.35 0.00 0.00 135145.35

29 Corbett Tiger Reserve 66162.00 0.00 0.00 66162.00

30 Kalagarh Tiger Reserve 62668.80 0.00 3.83 62672.63

31 Binsar wild life

sanctuary 4707.00 0.00 0.00 4707.00

32 Govind Wild life

sanctuary 95796.90 0.00 0.00 95796.90

33 Gangotri wild life

sanctuary 239002.40 0.00 0.00 239002.40

Total Wildlife

Zone 768553.81 0.00 3.83 768557.64

Total Uttarakhand 2426464.82 9861.38 149991.73 2586317.92

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MAP-2

Map Showing Forest Divisions And Circles In Uttarakhand:

TABLE 2

District–wise Forest Cover (Uttarakhand) (Area in km2) (Source: State of Forest Report, 2015)

District Geographi

c Area

Very

Dense

Forest

Moderatel

y Dense

Forest

Open

Forest

Total

Forest

Percent

Almora 3139 224 929 430 1583 50.43

Bageshwar 2246 200 834 329 1363 60.69

Chamoli 8030 441 1561 679 2681 33.39

Champawat 1766 348 570 266 1184 67.04

Dehradun 3088 620 647 335 1602 51.88

Garhwal 5329 519 1954 796 3269 61.34

Haridwar 2360 27 301 260 588 24.92

Nainital 4251 602 1939 463 3004 70.67

Pithoragarh 7090 509 1013 580 2102 29.65

Rudra Prayag 1984 241 591 298 1130 56.96

Tehri Garhwal 3642 296 1239 621 2156 59.20

U.S Nagar 2542 157 246 103 506 19.91

Uttarkashi 8016 570 1778 724 3072 38.32

Total 53,483 4,754 13,602 5,884 24,240 45.32

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VISION FOR FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT :

India has a long tradition of forest management. But initially it was managed only to

meet the state`s demand for timber, fuel, fodder, other forest produces and demand of the various

industries based on timber and NFTP and was considered mainly a source of revenue. But by the

1970’s forest dependent rural community population in India had risen beyond the scope of the

forests’ capacity to meet their needs. This led to the acknowledgement by the Govt. that the

people who depend on the forests directly for fuel, fodder and other forest produces are genuine

stakeholders in forest management decisions. This recognition was made explicit in the National

Forest Policy (1988) where participation by local stakeholders in every forest management issues

is considered to be most important to increase the productivity, their sustainable use etc.

Based on the outcome the different workshops held and on the analysis of

the experiences gained on the participatory methods done earlier in different districts/divisions

and keeping the view of National Forest policy of 1988, the following vision is proposed for this

Crisis (forest fire) Management Plan:

1. Involve public in forest fire management and raise public understanding and

awareness on the role of fire in the environment.

2. Emphasis must be given more on the need of forest fire management rather than

protecting forests against fire.

3. Site-specific plans in a flexible way should be made.

4. Involvement of all stakeholders in the forest fire management should be mandatory.

5. Controlled fire practices should be adopted.

6. Forest fire management should be interrelated with the socio-economic development

of the village.

7. Infrastructure available with the Forest Department should be used in a more efficient,

effective and strategic manner.

8. Forest fire management should not be seen separately but it should be an integral part

of the overall management objectives of the Reserve Forests and the adjacent Civil

Forests and Van Panchayats.

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF

UTTARAKHAND :

a. Natural Environment : Geographically the state is quite diversified. The major

part of the state is hilly and rocky, but the southern part of the state consists flat area of

Tarai/ Bhabhar region. In the hill regions, the main forest types are the sub tropical pine

forests dominated by chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii) and the moist temperate broad leave

forests dominated by oak species (Quercus incana, Q. floribunda and Q. semicarpifolia).

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The Tarai/ Bhabher region have deciduous Sal forest & other miscellaneous forests. The

Tarai/ Bhabher region also have the most valuable commercial forestry activities in

Uttarankhand because of good soil and high water table.

b. The Physical Environment : The physical environment throughout the hill

region is quite rugged and steep and rocky and therefore, difficult to traverse. There is also

lack of water in the hill region. The tarai and bhabar region have generally low relief being

located at the base of the hills. The flat land results in intense competition between

agriculture and plantation development. The climate is dominated by the monsoon, which

breaks towards the middle of June and continues till September. Precipitation in the hills

varies from 600 mm to 1000 mm of which about 30% falls as snow in the winter and the

remainder is received as rain during the monsoon. The tarai/bhabher receives high rainfall,

which contributes to its good Sal forests and other miscellaneous forests.

The pre- monsoon period is quite hot especially in the month of May-June.

Very hot and dry years appear to occur on a roughly 3-4 yearly cycle. Temprature raises to

its climax during these months, low humidity exists in the surrounding atmosphere, which

are the extreme favourable condition for forest fire expansion.

c. The socio-economic environment: Census report of Uttarakhand in last three

census shows the population in Uttarakhand is increasing and a large cattle population also

exists so a lot of pressure on the forests in the hill region’s broad-leaved forests providing

fodder for livestock and high quality fuel wood besides timber. Himalayas of Uttarakhand

are very rich in herbs and medicinal plants. Although Chir-pine forests are the dominant

forest type in the most densely populated parts of the hills, the local people are less fond of

it. Chir-pine needles have no fodder value and chir is not preferred as fuel wood where oak

forests are in existence. However, grass growing in chir forests is prized and is extensively

harvested by local women for feeding their livestock during scarcity of fodder grasses in

their field. In addition to harvesting grasses, local people also graze their cattle extensively

in the adjacent forest areas. Chir resin in an important source of revenue of the state.

TABLE 3

CENSUS OF UTTARAKHAND 1991, 2001 & 2011:

District Total Area

in sq km.

Population ( as per 1991

Census)


Census)


Census)

Uttarkashi 8016 239,709 295,013 329,686

Chamoli 7614 454,871 370,359 391,114

Rudraprayag 1891 200,451 227,439 236,857

Tehri Garhwal 4080 580,153 604,747 616,409

Dehradun 3088 1,025,679 1,282,143 1,698,560

Garhwal 5400 682,535 697,078 686,527

Pithoragarh 7100 566,408 462,289 485,993

Champawat 1781 193,337 224,542 259,315

Almora 3083 836,617 632,866 621,927

Bageshwar 2303 224,172 247,163 259,840

8

Nainital 3860 1,540,174 762,909 955,128

Udham Singh Nagar 2908 914,861 1,235,614 1,648,367

Hardwar 2360 1,124,488 1,447,187 1,927,029

Total 53483 8,583,455 8,489,349 10,116,752

TABLE 4

DISTRICTWISE LIVESTOCK POPULATION OF UTTARAKHAND-2003

S.No. District Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goat Total

animals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 Almora 237743 109728 4890 171732 524093

2 Bageshwar 121121 42250 19983 81105 264459

3 Nainital 170583 123106 178 63207 357074

4 U.S. Nagar 123951 175905 2157 44514 346527

5 Pithoragarh 240748 86877 32804 145173 505602

6 Champawat 99637 37621 58 48492 185808

7 Dehradun 187908 71685 22176 116672 398441

8 Pauri 357553 66372 33963 150575 608463

9 Tehri 123160 115050 14811 101981 355002

10 Uttarkashi 106827 38690 101268 95593 342378

11 Chamoli 188455 55153 45651 78162 367421

12 Rudraprayag 102428 37222 15636 39726 195012

13 Haridwar 128068 268535 2270 21265 420138

Total 2188182 1228194 295845 1158197 4870418

After the creation of new state of Uttarakhand, tourism has become an increasingly

important revenue source in the hills. With the opening of new roads, the different economic

activities of the remote areas are also increasing.

The social structure in the hills is quite homogenous and there are also fewer extremes

with respect to gaps between the rich and the poor.

The forests and plantations of the tarai and bhabar region are highly under pressure to

provide a wide variety of products like timber, fodder, fuel wood etc. Extensive grazing is very

common everywhere. The society here is heterogeneous largely because of influx of immigrant

families after the partition of India.

d. Institutional Environment :

1. Reserve Forests :

From its inception in 1875, the Forest Department has legislatively dedicated forest areas

as reserved forests. They provided the basis for state commercial production and revenue

generation. Forest dependent communities are strictly prohibited from harvesting timber from

9

these forests. But they can get small annual allocated volume of timber as a part of the right and

concessions. These were given some 70-80 years back by govt. notification. Despite population

increase, timber volumes have not changed. Timber has historically been harvested from Reserve

Forests by Forest Department and Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation for use

elsewhere. In face of local scarcities, this has become a source of bitter animosity between local

people and Forest Department. Similarly there is conflict between the Forest Department and the

graziers also.

2. Van Panchayats :

Van Panchayats were first formed in the Hill region in 1930-31 from the previously

identified reserve forests. These rules were developed on the lines of the community forests of

Madras State, formed under the Scheduled District Act 1874, the rules controlled formation of

Panchayats. Then in 1976 UP Forest Panchayat Act were formed which were modified by the

State Govt. in 2001 and then in 2005. Now the community has given the full control of Van

Panchayats under the technical guidance of Forest Department.

3. Civil and Soyam Forests :

These are protected forests and are under the control of Revenue Department. These

are located adjacent to villages in the hill region.

HISTORY OF FOREST FIRES AND ITS MANAGEMENT:

Forest fire has been occurring since time immemorial. Late Pandit Govind Ballabh

Pant in his book ‘The Forest problem of Kumaon’ writes-

“The practice of setting fire to the forestlands was in vogue in Kumaon from time

immemorial. The village people have an invincible faith in the utility of firing the forest

judiciously. In unfired forests pine needles are piled so thickly that neither men nor cattle can

move on the hillside and the growth of grass is also smothered. The burning of the forest at

seasonable times is believed to be helpful to the growth of grass without causing any injury to the

trees.”

It is clear from the above that the act of setting forests on fire has been going on since

time immemorial. It is difficult to fire the forests in winters because of high level of moisture in

the vegetation. In summers when leaf fall occurs in chir trees and moisture regime in the soil

touches its minimum, the forests have fires very frequently.

The Fire management in earstwhile Uttar Pradesh was started with the advent of

scientific forestry in 1861. It consisted of clearing of 16 to 30 m wide strips and suppression the

fire with the help of villagers.

a. Modern Forest Fire Control Project : With the help of UNDP and FAO, the

modern forest fire control project was established in 1985 with the following objectives: -

1. To demonstrate the modern methods of detection, control and prevention of forest

fires.

2. To develop effective program for forest fire control.

10

3. To select economic and effective techniques for fire control in different types of

forests.

4. To develop forest fire statistics and its use.

5. To develop forest fire danger-rating system.

6. To impart training to the forest staff and others.

7. To estimate the loss of forest fire.

The project was funded by UNDP and FAO for five years. The project inferred

that the techniques based on the use of hand tools are most suitable for most of the areas in

state due to its terrain, while dozer and tanker based techniques are suitable for tarai / bhaber

area and grassy areas of plain for fire suppression.

b. Centrally sponsored project: Modern Forest Fire Control Methods :

Based on the results of Modern Fire Control Project Centrally sponsored scheme

“Modern Forest Fire Control Methods” was started in 92-93. The scheme was designed

exclusively for prevention and control measures by improved innovative local technology.

An amount of Rs. 63 lakhs were released between 1992-93 and 1998-99 respectively. Some

fire fighting tools and wireless sets were purchased during this period.

c. World Bank Aided Forestry Project : The state of UP was given aid for forestry

sector in 1998 and fire protection was one of the major components. It was based mainly on

the participatory mode and a total of 248934.1 ha area was taken under the scheme. Village

level protection committees were formed and a sum of Rs. 10 per hect was given to these

committees as honoraria for protecting the area.

d. Intensification of Forest Management Scheme : After completion of World

Bank Forestry Project, Government of India is giving FUNDS for forest fire protection

under "Integrated Forest Protection Scheme" mainly for infrastructure development and

support for participatory mode of management. Now "Integrated forest protection scheme"

is renamed as “Intensification of Forest Management Scheme” and still continues. e. Special Plan Assistance Project( Control on Forest Fires) : Government of

India is giving money under “Special Plan Assistance Project (Control on Forest

Fire) for creation and strengthening of fire lines in reserve forest areas and plantations/

roads their in, creation and strengthening of fire lines in Civil/ Panchayat forest areas

adjacent to RF/PA, procurement of fire fighting/fire control equipments/ devices/

communication sets/ utility items etc creation and strengthening of master control rooms as

infrastructure development and support for participatory mode of forest fire management. f. State Sector Forest Fire Protection Scheme :-Budget provision has been made in

the State Sector Forest Fire Protection Scheme for Fire Watchers wages engaged during the

fire season 2011-12, for maintenace of existing fire lines, construction of new fire lines,

Purchase and Maintenace of Wireless, fire tools, etc., hiring of vehicles, for telephone,

training , Extention and Publication etc.. This scheme still continues.

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FIRE THREATS TO FORESTS IN UTTARAKHAND :

Very little scientific literature exists on the ecological impact of fire on the forests of

Uttarakhand, but it is evident that most forest types are well adapted to the low intensity ground

fires, which mainly occurs in Uttarakhand. Crown fires are very rare, although the potential for

such wild fires clearly exists, if forest fuels are permitted to build up. But ground fire is a threat to

young plantations and natural regeneration especially of Sal and Bamboos.

Forest Fires occur mostly during ‘Fire Season’ (15th February to 15th June) every year.

The most vulnerable areas for forest fires are Pine forests which constitute 28.72% of State's total

forests. The most sensitive districts prone to forest fires are Pauri-Garhwal, Nainital, Almora,

Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Tehri and Dehradun.

Fig.- Fire Prone Areas of Uttarakhand

The number of forest fire incidences and affected area between the 2010 and 2015 according to

the statistical report is as below: -

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TABLE 5

STRATEGY FOR FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT:

The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) , vide letter

no. 1-4/2005 –FPD dated, 16.11.2005 has recognised following main methods of preventions and

control of forest fire, which have been included in their template of Contingency Plan for Forest

Fires-

a. Constructions of watch towers for detection of forest fires.

b. Deployment of fire watchers.

c. Creation and Maintenance of fire lines.

d. Involvement of local communities.

e. Beating of fire with bushes and use of water to douse the fire.

f. Use of Remote Sensing technology and Moderate Resolution Imaging

Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) satellite data for early detection of forest

fires.

Year Incidents

No. in RF

Incidents

No. in

Civil

Soyam /

Van

Panchayat

Total

Incidents

Affectd

RF Area

(Ha)

Affected

Civil

Soyam /

Van

Panchayat

Area (Ha)

Total

Affected

Area

(Ha)

Plantation

Affected

Area (Ha)

Leesa

blazes

affected

Evaluation

of Losses

(In Rs.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2010 567 222 789 1068.97 541.85 1610.82 44.65 344 88300

2011 121 29 150 179.25 52.50 231.75 7.00 0 29723

2012 1051 277 1328 2242.54 581.35 2823.89 201.64 12633 4289241

2013 177 68 245 274.45 109.60 384.05 4.50 0 439387

2014 405 110 515 729.33 201.00 930.33 12.00 7972 2357707

2015 332 80 412 585.65 115.96 701.61 8.50 0 794356

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The Government of Uttarakhand strictly adhered to, and followed the template

given by MoEF&CC, Government of India. Based on Ministry’s directions and State’s own past

experiences, the Forest Department has undertaken the following proactive steps to manage and

control forest fires in the year 2016-

PRE-FIRE SEASON PREPARATIONS: The State Forest Department based on

Government of India’s guidelines and past experience, carried out a number of pre-fire operations

for prevention and control of forest fires before 2016 fire season. The operations carried out in the

pre-fire season are detailed below:

i. APPROVAL OF DISTRICT FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN- The District Fire

Management Plan is a comprehensive document comprising strategy for fire management,

resources available, logistics, establishment of master control room, crew stations,

communication system, details of fire sensitive areas, formation of committees, assignment

of roles and responsibilities at different levels, alerting health services, requirement of

resources etc in a comprehensive manner. Each district prepared a comprehensive fire

management plan which was approved by the district level committee, headed by District

Magistrate.

ii. AWARENESS GENERATION PROGRAMMES- Training/Workshop, Rallies, Street

plays, meetings of Village/Block/District Level Fire Protection Committees, Distribution of

publicity pamphlets had been taken up for awareness generation. In this season, Village

level, Block level and District level meetings had been conducted to sensitise the people.

Other methods used for generation of awareness towards prevention and reporting of forest

fires were pamphlets, hand bills, banners, street plays, rallies, puppet shows, pad-yatras,

fire-protection week, sensitization through local TV channels, use of multimedia etc. A

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thirty second video film was prepared and broadcasted across television channels with the

intension to enhance their sensitization. Awareness among children about the consequences

of forest fire hazards during Summer Season should be made through comptition, debates,

rallies organized from time to time.

iii. ROTATIONAL BURNING/CONTROLLED BURNING OF FOREST FLOOR

LITTER- Rotational and controlled burning are established silvicutural and forestry

management tools that are employed to manage forests. Controlled burning makes use of

programmed and regulated fire in forest areas, which removed forest floor litter and other

combustible material from the forest floor. Rotational burning is a kind of controlled

burning operation carried out in selected forest areas on a rotational basis. Rotational

burning is often desirable in wildlife rich areas to retain grazing grass and fodder for

herbivores in designated forest patches. During winter season, as per the prescription of the

Working Plans/Management Plans, rotational burning of 1,52,513 Hectares and controlled

burning of 85,341 Ha. forest areas was carried out to reduce the litter load from the forests.

iv. CLEARING OF FIRE-LINES IN THE FORESTS- Fire lines are gaps in the vegetation

of a forest. They break the continuum of the forest floor combustible material, and could be

of natural origin like rivers, lakes, nalas, and the like; or man made structures like roads,

canals and the like, in addition to fire lines themselves. Fire lines of various width are also

created in the forest, depending upon the specific need. The fire lines essentially remove the

combustible material and forest floor litter and thus frustrate any progressive fire due to lack

of further fuel. During the winter season, fires lines had been cleared as per the

prescriptions of the Management Plans/Working Plans of the forests.

SUMMARY OF ZONEWISE FIRE LINES IN UTTARAKHAND

Zone 100 Ft

(km.)

50 Ft

(km.)

30 Ft

(km.)

Along

Road

(km.)

Around

Plantation

(km.)

Beat

Fire

Line

(km.)

Block

Fire

Line

(km.)

Pedestrian /

Horse Road

(km.)

Others

Line

(km.)

Garhwal 197.48 817.49 960.40 12618.38 3673.97 1510.10 987.00 2490.10 1265.38 Kumaon 795.57 1095.82 1555.32 5389.61 2168.86 82.90 963.85 2576.13 1993.35 Wildlife 455.89 537.71 658.84 1046.76 70.00 0.00 0.00 1522.91 40.00

Total 1448.94 2451.02 3174.56 19054.75 5912.83 1593.00 1950.85 6589.14 3298.73

v. MASTER CONTROL ROOM (MCR) - A Master Control Room (MCR) is a nodal forest

fire information centre, and is generally located in the Division Headquarters. The MCR are

provided with Wireless Communication Network, Fire Fighting equipments, and serves as

the base station for a fire fighting crew. The MCR is equipped with forest fire danger

rating system to forecast the chances of forest fire in any area and put more attention where

there are more chances of fire. The MCR is generally operated by a Ranger/Deputy Ranger,

and he is assisted by a team of Foresters and Forest Guards. A few Fire Watchers are also

deployed at the MCR. The MCR communicates with all the other Range Control Rooms and

the Headquarters and keeps a stock of the situation. As soon as any incident of fire is

detected, the MCR will relay the information to the concerned Range Office. The Range

15

Office in turn will relay the message to the fire fighting crew located nearest to the area of

incident, which will move to the area and combats fire.

40 such MCRs have been established across the State and trial runs were successfully done

to ensure that they are fully operative.

Locations of Master Control Rooms

Name of Circles Number of MCRs

North Kumaon Circle, Almora 5

South Circle, Nainital 4

Western Circle, Haldwani 5

Total Kumaon Zone 14

Yamuna Circle, Dehradun 5

Shivalik Circle, Dehradun 7

Bhagirathi Circle, Muni ki Reti 3

Garhwal Circle, Pauri 4

Total Garhwal Zone 19

Corbett Tiger Reserve 2

Rajaji National Park 1

NDBR 2

Gangotri National Park 1

Govind WL Sanctuary 1

Total Wild Life 7

Grand Total 40

vi. WATCH TOWERS- A watch tower is an elevated platform erected within or in proximity

of the forest area. The watch tower serves as a view point that offers a large section of forest

to be monitored for various activities. During fire season, the Fire Watchers are deployed

specially on the watch towers to report any incident of fire or smoke from the forest. Upon

the receipt of such report, the information is passed on to the Range Office and MCR. The

MCR/Range Office, as the case may be, directs the nearmost situated Fire Fighting Crew to

mobilize manpower and resources to the site of fire. The Crew reaches the site and tries to

combat it. In case more manpower or resources are needed, the same is informed and

ensured.

A total of 94 towers had been functional before the onset of the fire season this year.

16

Locations of Watch Towers

Name of Circles Number of WTs












NDBR 3



Total Wild Life 30

Grand Total 94

vii. CREW STATIONS- A Crew Station is a temporary post often created within the forest.

Each Crew Station has a deployment of 5-7 Fire Watchers who reside at the post. Their

lodging and fooding is ensured at the Crew Station. The Crew Stations are equipped with

fire fighting tools, equipments and wireless communication network. The Crew Station is

operated by a Forest Guard, who instructs and mobilizes the Fire Fighting Crew as and

when required.

This year, 1166 Crew Stations had been established and equipped with adequate

resources.

Locations of Crew Stations

Name of Circles Number of CSs






17







NDBR 45



Total Wild Life 167

Grand Total 1166

viii. WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK- The Divisional Headquarters, Master

Control Room, Range Offices, crew stations and field staff are equipped with wireless

communication devices for effective real time communication. Trial runs and mock

exercises were conducted regularly to ensure their effectiveness.

A total of 506 base sets, 199 mobile sets, 1631 hand-sets and 35 repeater stations had

been operative before the onset of forest fire season this year.

SUMMARY OF ZONEWISE WIRELESS SET IN UTTARAKHAND

Zone Repeater

Stations

Stationary

Set

Mobile Set Hand Set

Garhwal 23 178 105 529

Kumaon 5 143 43 710

Wildlife 7 185 51 392

Total 35 506 199 1631

ix. SATELLITE BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM- Capacities have been developed and

put in place by the Information Technology & Geoinformatics Centre (ITGC) of

Uttarakhand Forest Department to receive, analyse, and derive conclusions from satellite

data. Capacities were also developed for daily monitoring of fire threats with the help of

satellite imagery and information technology. Forest Survey of India (FSI) generated

Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) data of forest fires were

acquired and capacities were developed to analyse such data and predict forest fire

vulnerable areas. Logistics were developed to forward such findings to forest officials

through SMS/Email, so that the necessary management actions could be timely ensured.

This was apart from the information available through watchers.

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x. EFFICIENT FIRE FIGHTING TOOLS- Forest Research Institute had designed and

developed efficient fire fighting tools. Such tools were procured by the Uttarakhand Forest

Department and distributed to the Divisions.

xi. Besides above, others activities to be undertaken are-

a) Hiring of vehicles for movement of crew members

b) Engagement of seasonal fire watchers on daily wages as per requirement

c) Arrangement for movement of crew members, their lodging and fooding

d) Activation of ITGC at Forest Department Headquarters, Dehradun for flow of information,

monitoring, reporting and instructions.

e) Establishing coordination with other line departments viz; revenue, PWD, health, police

and local bodies.

xii. ADOPTION OF SUITABLE TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE FUEL LOAD ON

FOREST FLOOR: As Chir-pine needle “Pirul” has been a major cause of forest fire in

this state, some alternative arrangements must be decided in order to make this “Pirul” into

some useful product such as compost, biomass briquetts, pine oil, paper pulp, gassifire based

power generation etc. Villagers must be trained to convert this highly inflammable produce

into some useful product like compost, biomass briquetts, decoration pieces etc and

necessary funds for such type of training’s must be given to them by Blocks and Rural

Development Department. Forest department is also providing biomass briquetting machine

to Van Panchayat’s and traing to the local villagers for the same. About more then one

hundreds biomass briquetting machines had been given to various Van Panchayats in the

state.

The Forest Department had also invited various Firms/ Industries/ Organisations to

express their interest in the respective field of their interest for utilising dry and fallen Chir-

pine needle. Various Firms/ Industries/ Organisations had expressed their interest in utilising

dry and fallen Chir-pine needle for biomass briquetts, pine oil, paper pulp, power generation

etc.. Although in the initial stage biomass briquetts units using dry and fallen Chir-pine

needle are existing at Kotdwar in District Pauri in Garhwal and at Kichchha in Udamsingh

Nagar District in Kumaon. Recently Secretary Ureda had given permition to Five Power

Project Companies to establish their power project units based on utilizing Chir-pine needle

as main raw materials. The PCCF, Uttarakhand had fixed Rs 1.00 per Kg of dry and fallen

Chir-pine needle Collection by the local village communities. When power generating units

will come into existants, those power generating units will require a lot of dry Chir-pine

needle as raw materials. It will not only remove fire hazardous dry and fallen Chir-pine

needle from the forest floor but also provide employment generation and help to increase the

economic condition of the local villagers.

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FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT DURING FIRE SEASON-

i. DETECTION OF FIRE INCIDENCE: Detection of fire incidents is to be done through

information gathered from local sources, Fire Watchers, Watch Towers, patrolling teams,

dedicated WhatsApp Number (7455054828), dial108 service, van mitra sewa (9208008000),

newspapers, Uttarakhand Forest BHUVAN portal, MODIS based satellite data alerts, and other

available sources. Pre-fire alerts and warnings are to be issued on a weekly basis after analysis

of satellite data by the ITGC, and forward the field officers by emails. The same is to be sent

by WhatsApp messenger, and prominently displayed on the departmental website

www.forest.uk.gov.in .

ii. ACTION BY THE LOCAL CREW STATION/ MOBILE TEAM: Upon receipt of

any information related to fire, near-most fire crew/ mobile team is to be alerted and mobilized

to the reported area. It will also seek assistance of local villagers if available, and will ensure

efforts to suppress fire with help of tools, equipments and locally available resources. After

putting off the fire, a preliminary report shall be forwarded by the local crew station to the

Divisional MCR at the respective headquarters. Details of all forest fire incidences are to be

uploaded on department’s websites namely, www.forest.uk.gov.in and

www.vigilanceandlegalcell.co.in.

iii. CONTINUATION OF AWARENESS CAMPAIGN- Meetings and workshops/training

programmes will have to be done at village, block and district level for awareness generation.

Advertisements and appeals are to be published in newspapers at local and state levels.

Banners, posters, handbills, stickers are to be displayed or distributed at all levels. Puppet

shows, Street rallies, Pad-yatras, Oath ceremonies/lectures in schools, signature campaigns etc

are to be organised at local levels. Awareness campaign shall be an ongoing process and will

continue till the end of fire season.

iv. CONTINUATION OF MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN- A 30 second clip has been made

appealing people to prevent forest fire. This clip is to be shown continuously on local television

channels till the end of fire season.

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Fig.- Home page of www.forest.uk.gov.in

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Fig.- Web page related to forest fires on www.forest.uk.gov.in

BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST FIRES

MANAGEMENT: The Uttarakhand Forest Department meets up its financial requirements for forest

fires management under following schemes:-

1. Vano ki Agni se Suraksha Yozna( Protection of Forests from Fire)- It is a State

Sector Scheme and on an average Rs. 6 to 8 Crore is being provided under this scheme

Fin. Year 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Budget

(in lakh rupees)

196.02 1432.82 844.52 858.01 741.51 873.54

(proposed)

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2. Intensification of Forest Management Scheme- This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme

on a 90:10 sharing basis and forest fire management is one of the components of this

scheme, which covers around 40 to 50% of the total allocation. The total budget released(

including central share) by the state govt. since last five years is as under:

Fin. Year 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Budget

(in lakh rupees)

272.64 389.42 347.89 370.17 297.60 ---

3. State CAMPA: In case of emergency, some funds from State CAMPA is also provided

for forest fire management.

However, the District Fire Management Plans prepared by each district for forest

fire management in 2016-17 envisage an outlay of Rs. 2968.57 lakhs which is unlikely to

be met by the budget to be provided under the two running schemes. Needless to say, the

required budget for forest fire management in 2016 shall be sought from Contingency

Fund of the State or from State Campa.

Total Outlay For District Level Forest Fire Prevention and Control

Management Plan 2016

S.N. District Outlay in Lakh Rupees

1 2 3

1 Almora 94.55

2 Bageshwar 90.00

3 Champawat 165.05

4 Pithoragarh 193.51

5 Nainital 683.00

6 Udham Singh Nagar 94.67

7 Chamoli 398.54

8 Rudraprayag 63.16

9 Tehri 229.75

10 Garhwal 353.69

11 Uttarkashi 283.70

12 Haridwar 34.50

13 Dehradun 284.45

TOTAL 2968.57

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ROLE OF DIFFERENT STAKE-HOLDERS IN

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF FOREST FIRES

1. FMU (FIRE MANAGEMENT UNIT): This unit is established under the control of

Chief Conservator of Forest, Vigilance and Legal cell, Haldwani. The responsibilities of the unit

will be

(i) To formulate agreed principles of forest fire management.

(ii) To issue guidelines for preparation divisional and then district forest fire plans.

(iii) To provide technical comments on divisional and district forest fire plans.

(iv) To provide support to CFD and UFTA, Haldwani in organizing trainings in forest fire

management and other activities.

(v) Formulating training packages.

(vi) To advice the department and the Government regarding procurement of quality hand

tools and equipments.

(vii) To establish fire weather forecasting system in the state.

(viii) To support and advice research in fire management and to sanction financial support to

research fellows in the universities.

(ix) To liase with ITGC at Dehradun for information about (MODIS) Satellite based forest fire

incidences reports and communicate to respective Division`s for ground verification.

(x) To establish co-ordination with State Level`s Disaster Management and Minimization

Center, Dehradun

2. TERRITORIAL STAFF:

2.1 Conservator of Forests:

a) Getting the Divisional and District forest fire plans prepared.

b) Sanctioning and implementing the Forest fire plans after obtaining technical approval from

FMU.

c) Giving fire incidence report to media every week inviting views from public and disposing

the objections received, if any

2.2 Divisional Forest Officer:

1. To prepare the forest fire management plan for the year.

2. To make contractual arrangement, with NGOs, Mahila Mangal Dals, Van Panchayats,

village Protection committees, Yuvak Mangal dals and other departments, Military and Para-

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Military forces about awareness programs, burning operations and fire prevention and

supression activities in all types of forests.

3. Issue forecast about fire weather to the local people.

4. To issue hand tools to the local organizations willing to undertake control burning and fire

suppression works during the fire season and to take back the same after fire season.

5. Arranging trainings/workshops for the volunteers in forest fire management.

6. To gather information about forest fire incidences.

7. Do ground verification of forest fire incidences recieved based on Satellite (MODIS).

8. To mobilize Response Team/ field crew team to the sites of forest fire incidence

immediately to supress and extinguish the forest fire.

3. FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEES: The Govt of Uttarakhand vide it order

dated 27th

March, 2004 has constituted district, block and village level committees to decide

strategy, prepare action plan and do monitoring with regard to prevention and control of forest

fires in the state.

3.1 DISTRICT LEVEL FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEES:

a. District Magistrate- Chairperson

b. Nodal Divisional Forest Officer – Member Secretary

c. Senior Superintendent of Police – Member

d. Chief Development Officer – Member

e. Nodal Executive Engineer, PWD – Member

f. All SDMs - Members

g. Two Environment related Social Workers/NGO – Members

h. Other DFOs of the district - members

3.2 BLOCK LEVEL FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEES:

a. Block Pramukh – Chairperson

b. Asstt. Conservator of Forests – Member Secretary

c. Block Development Officer – Member

d. Concerned SHO, Police – Member

e. Revenue Officer nominated by SDM – Member

f. Two Gram Pradhans nominated by Block Pramukh- Members

g. Two Social Workers nominated by Block Pramukh- Members

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3.3 VILLAGE LEVEL FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEE (VLFPC):

a. Gram Pradhan – Chairperson

b. Concerned Forester – Member Secretary

c. Patwari/Lekhpal – Member

d. Village Development Officer – Member

e. Forest Guard – Member

f. Up-Pradhan – Member

g. A Woman from Village - Member

The Duties and Responsibilities of committees shall be:

1. To make, approve and implement fire plan in the adopted areas with technical collaboration

of Forest Department.

2. To identify all the resources available with different departments and allocate them

judiciously for prevention and control of fires in Reserve, Civil and Panchayati forests.

3. To assign roles and responsibilities to different departments and agencies in forest fire

management.

4. To take all necessary precautions for forest fire prevention.

5. To take all necessary precautions in burning operations and inform forest department before

that.

6. To help field staff in detection, communication and suppression of forest fires.

7. To help in various extension activities.

8. To educate the villagers regarding fire hazards and promote concept of rotational burning.

9. To take initiative, in order to reduce and eliminate the fire hazard from the adopted area.

10. To sent report to government regarding any special requirements and budgetary demands, if

any.

4. ROLE OF NGOS : The role of NGOs is very important as they act as a bridge

between Government agencies and the local stakeholders. They also act as an arbitrator if any

conflict arises between the two.

5. ROLE OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS : Role of other departments are also very

important. They can help in educating the people about the effect of forest fire to our

environment, as for example Education Department can add chapters about the effect of forest

fire to our environment in the curriculum of schools. Similarly other Departments, Military and

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Para-Military Forces can help through their infrastructures and facilities in forest fire crisis

management.

CO-ORDINATION DURING ACTUAL EMERGENCY/

CRISIS In case, the extent of forest fire incidences goes beyond the control of existing

arrangement and resources of the department, the State Level Fire Protection Committee, headed

by Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forests, Govt. of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, shall

call an emergency meeting of the committee and shall take immediate actions viz.,

1. Activation of State Emergency Operation Centre ( Helpline No. 1070) and District

Emergency Operation Centres( Helpline No. 1077).

2. Consultation with the Central Crisis Group of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and

Climate Change, Govt of India and seek instructions and all possible help from govt of

India.

3. Issue instructions to all District Magistrates to activate all concerned departments and

utilize all available resources to combat and mitigate forest fires.

4. Increase and redeploy human and material resources in the most affected and vulnerable

areas.

5. Seek help from Indian Army, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF and other forces, if need required.

6. Management of media to check rumours etc.

7. Provide Rehabilitation measures to the forest fire affected areas.

8. Any other desired actions in order to prevent forest fires and to control forest fires.

ROLE OF OTHER AUTHORITIES DURING CRISIS:

1. District Magistrate

The District Magistrate shall be in overall command of the emergency operations

as the District Emergency Authority and shall

• Provide suitable instructions to the local control room during the progress of

emergency/crisis.

• Direct the overall emergency management through the Senior Superintendent of Police,

Chief Medical Officer and other district officials.

• Provide reinforcement and support for emergency response from the other resources in the

district.

• Depending upon the state of emergency, mobilize District/State level help. In this, he shall

keep the State Control Room informed of the progress of emergency.

• Make the necessary release of information to media for publication/dissemination.

2. Senior Superintendent of Police. The Senior Superintendent of Police being the overall in-charge of police operations in the

District shall assist the District Magistrate in all activities and decision making of police functions

relating to emergency response.

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3. Conservator of Forests (CF) The Forest Department will be the central agency to coordinate the efforts of all other

departments. In addition, forest department will also be responsible for

(a) Assessment of area affected by fire.

(b) Estimated losses in trees of timber, wildlife casualties.

(c) Ascertain cause of fire.

(d) Prepare action Plan for regeneration/restoration of fire affected areas.

4. Chief Medical Officer The Chief Medical Officer shall provide professional advice and resources as follows.

• Advise the District Magistrate on medical details requiring for handling emergency cases

in the field.

• Advise the medical professionals in the affected area of treatment and other details, if

required.

• Organize medical supplies and support facilities to augment the resources available in the

affected area.

5. Civil Defence The Local Civil Defence units will provide training and resources as follows:

• Train first level respondents.

• Advice the DM in evacuation and in-shelter decisions.

• Mobilize trained human resources during emergencies.

6. Police : Local Level The local level police will have the following responsibilities:

6.1 Local Control Room • Act as a Control Room for emergencies.

• Upon notification of accident by forest fires, shall alert/declare emergency.

• Shall coordinate and control emergency action with the support of other defined agencies.

• Shall keep the District Control Room informed of emergencies and status.

• Shall requisition additional external support, if required, through District Control Room.

• Shall decide on a evacuation of area and inform Tehsildar/Municipality for local

notification, relief and evacuation.

• Shall obtain specific technical advise from nominated expert for the area.

• Shall communicate emergency requirements to responders e.g. fire services, medical and

industry personnel.

6.2 Field • Maintain law and other at the scene of incident

• Ensure control of traffic to prevent congestion.

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• To ensure security of affected and evacuated areas.

6.3 District Control Room

The District control Room shall serve as a District Magistrate's Coordination Centre. Upon

declaration of a local emergency the District Control Room shall;

• Inform District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of the development of the

accident.

• Convey instructions to local control rooms as necessary.

• Mobilize external resources in the District for supporting the local effort based on

instructions received from District Magistrate.

• Communicate with other agencies as directed by District Magistrate/Senior Superintendent

of Police.

7. Local Health Services

The medical team in the area will render the following services when called upon to do so.

• First-aid to victims of accident and treatment at local level.

• Hospitalization and treatment in the case of large scale exposure.

• Mobilization of nearby schools/housing areas as make shift treatment locations in the case

of major disaster.

• Inform the local control room of the need for augmentation in medical facilities.

• Ensure availability of adequate medicines/equipment through the industries and other

agencies.

8. Fire Services

The fire services will:

• Provide fire fighting facilities including spray of water to act as a curtain and other

operations in urban and sub-urban areas and areas where fire tenders can reach easily.

• Rescue trapped personnel in the area taking due precaution against getting themselves

affected through gas inhalation.

• Take such action as may be necessary to contain fires and spills, if any, with the help of

technical guidance given by the local forest officer.

9. Tehsildar / Municipality

Tehsildar/municipality shall have the following roles in rural/municipal areas respectively

during an emergency. Upon receiving intimation from the local control room the

Tehsildar/Municipality shall mobilize the village/municipal bodies and NGO's to undertake:

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• Community notification.

• Relief work in case of affected person

• Assistance and guidance in evacuation

• Support to Police and medical personal.

• Personnel at the village/municipal levels.

• Assessment of damage to damage to property/cattle etc.

11. Assistance required from the Army/Para-military forces during

and after the crisis

Although district level Emergency Operation Centres has been set up in each district of

Uttarakhand, sometimes inadequate infrastructural facilities like fire fighting equipments, medical

facilities, efficient transportation etc. could hamper the mitigation efforts during and after a

crisis. The District Magistrate/Collector may request the Military Authorities to help in

supplementing the existing facilities by making available the following:

• Fire fighting facilities/equipment available at military airports;

• Medical Team and Hospital Services available at the Military Hospital; &

• Transportation facilities required for evacuation of affected population.

CONSTRAINTS WITH THE FOREST DEPARTMENT IN

FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT:

The forest department has many constraints that come in way of effective and

efficient management of forest fires

1. Budget provided for forest fire management is not commensurate with the requirement or

demand.

2. Timely availability of funds is a prime requirement of the forest fire management as all the

activities are time bound otherwise failure is guaranteed.

3. Paucity of budget leads to lack of sufficient infrastructure, tools & equipments

4. Uncertainty and untimely distribution of financial assistance to the village committees

creates lot of mistrust among the villagers.

5. Due to change in life-style over the years, villagers hardly take any interest is dousing the

forest fires. Perhaps subsidies and doling out everything at the door-step has made the

people insensitive towards welfare of the forests.

6. Ban on green felling above 1000 meters, lack of silvicultural operations, uncertain funding

for various fire prevention measurers (existing fire line cutting and burning, creation of new

fire lines, prescribed control burning etc.) has been a measure cause for forest fires in spite

of the best efforts made by the fire protection committees / fire crew team in the field

7. As fire season coincides with the tourist season hence during this period, able bodied

persons are not available in their villages.

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MONITORING AND EVALUATION :

The monitoring and evalution will be done at the three levels:

1. Monitoring will be done by the Forest Department through the FLMU who will work through

different divisions. The FLMU will try to find out the causes of fire and will identify the fire

prone areas. It will do monitoring through scientific methods.

2. The NGOs will also monitor the causes of fire especially the role of different stakeholders. As

they will act as neutral arbitrator, their view will have a great weightage.

3. Monitoring will also be done through the village level committees. They will monitor mainly

the funds received and they will report any irregularity to the department and the NGOs working

in the area.

4. Evalution will be done under a high powered committee under the chairmanship of Principal

Chief Conservator of Forests which will have representatives from all important stakeholders.

5. The key monitoring indicators will be

1. Extent of fire

2. Losses due to fire

3. Support from the locals

4. Inspections of Forest Department officials and NGOs working in the

area.

5. Use of modern tools.

6. Use of funds given to the VLFPCs.

*********

Final STATE LEVEL CRISIS MANAGEMENT ... - forest.uk.gov.in · fuelwood, fruits, fodder and various...

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