Remarkable Decline: Forest Fires Plummet by Over 31% in Nagaland – ISFR 2023 Triumph
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 reveals a significant decline in the detection of forest fires in Nagaland, with incidents dropping by approximately 31.39% from November 2023 to June 2024. The Forest Survey of India (FSI), utilizing MODIS and VIIRS-SNPP sensors, recorded a decrease from 4,912 incidents in the previous dry season to 3,370. MODIS sensor detections fell from 1,309 between November 2021–June 2022 to 761 in the latest period. Similarly, VIIRS-SNPP detections decreased from 3,471 incidents to 2,609 during the 2023-24 season.
Nationally, forest fire detections also declined, with MODIS recording a reduction from 31,145 in 2022-23 to 26,390 in 2023-24, and VIIRS-SNPP detecting 203,544 incidents, down from 212,249. Notably, 22 fires were detected in Nagaland’s Intanki National Park, and 6,046 nationwide, monitored through an advanced satellite-based alert system. This system, run by the FSI, notifies registered users through SMS and email, expanding its nationwide subscriber base to 307,137, though Nagaland accounts for only 28 subscribers.
Despite improvements in fire detection, Nagaland has no forests classified as ‘Extremely Fire Prone’. However, the state has 385.65 sq km designated as ‘Very Highly Fire Prone’ and 2,938.57 sq km as ‘Highly Fire Prone’. Nationally, the ‘Very Highly Fire Prone’ forests cover 75,084.02 sq km, while ‘Highly Fire Prone’ areas span 126,187.87 sq km.
The ISFR 2023 also highlights Nagaland’s environmental challenges, noting a total loss of 125.22 sq km in forest and tree cover from 2021-23, ranking it fourth in forest cover reduction in India. Over the past decade, Nagaland’s forest cover decreased from 13,017.35 sq km to 12,222.47 sq km, with significant declines recorded in recent years.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/forest-fires-decline-in-nagaland-by-over-31-highlights-isfr-2023
Category : Morung Exclusive , Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2024-12-30 02:08:00