Urgent Need for Wildfire Management Strategy

Even as the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, which rattled the world since its outbreak early last year, goes on with new cases continuing to be detected across the world, desire of many people to start 2021 on a positive note could be dampened by the ravaging wildfire that is threatening to destroy the famed Dzükou Valley. The inferno that was reportedly started by some unidentified trekkers on December 29, three days before the New Year day, has been making headlines for days now as public and nature lovers alike fear that it would spread to the picturesque valley. A huge area in the vicinity has been reduced to ashes despite efforts made by personnel from government agencies and Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo) volunteers to contain the fire, and the battle still continues. Owing to the severity of the fire, the chief minister of Nagaland had undertaken an aerial survey of the valley to assess the damages caused and the operation works. The damages caused to the forest is visible from the black patches left behind by the massive fire that is said to have intensified and spreading fast.

While the fire that has been raging for 10 days now is a matter of worry, more so because of the fear of permanently damaging the beauty of the Dzükou Valley, it is not the first time that such an incident has happened. It had happened in the past and is likely to happen again in future. In fact, scores of wildfire incidents are reported across the globe every year. It can happen anytime, anywhere, and can be caused by either human activity or natural phenomenon like lightning. Despite its destructive nature- threatening lives, property and destroying the greenery that takes years to develop, experts say wildfire can occur naturally and that certain species of plants and animals depend on it for ecological balance. It clears out wastes, alien plants, controls pests, breaks down nutrients and makes the soil more fertile, making it more conducive for grass and plants to grow. Animals and food species naturally adapt to the change in ecology. Fires can play an important role in cycle of forest life.

In spite of various hidden benefits, uncontrolled wildfire can obstruct an ecosystem to recover, cause air pollution, disrupt biodiversity and even has the potential to wipe out native vegetation and wildlife. Causing forest fires is illegal in the country under the Indian Forest Act of 1927 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, but the laws have failed to stop forest fires from occurring. So, instead of suppressing fires, government should rope in experts to come up with a better wildfire management strategy to stop uncontrolled inferno especially at locations like Dzükou Valley that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Government agencies can carry out controlled burns during the cool season to reduce risk of devastating fires. The general public too should learn to respect nature, preserve it and learn to live with it.