Impacts of Forest Fires on Biological Environment
Forest fires also pose serious health hazards by producing smoke
and noxious gases, as the events in Indonesia after the forest
fires on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in 1977 have shown.
The burning of vegetation gives off not only carbon dioxide but
also a host of other, noxious gases (Green house gases) such as
carbon monoxide, methane, hydrocarbons, nitric oxide and nitrous
oxide, that lead to global warming and ozone layer depletion. Consequently,
thousands of people suffered from serious respiratory problems
due to these toxic gases. Burning forests and grasslands also add
to already serious threat of global warming. Recent measurement
suggest that biomass burning may be a significant global source
of methyl bromide, which is an ozone depleting chemical.
Policy on Forest Fire (Rehabilitation and Response)
Every year one-third of all forests is affected by forest fire.
Therefore, an effective policy on forest fire prevention and control
is extremely important. It was in this context that the modern
Forest Control Project was taken up in five districts of U.P viz.
Pithoragarh, Rampur, Nanital, plights and Almora since 1985. The
area proposed to be covered was 3,72,693 hectares. The recommendations
of this project are listed out below:
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Development
and demonstration of modern fire control techniques.
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Preparation of division
wise fire management plans.
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Estimation of forest
fires
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| • |
Development and application
of a forest danger rating system.
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Training of personnel
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Full fire protection
of timber depots.
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| • |
Manufacture of fire
finders and hand tools with in the country and standardization
of fire control equipment.
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