The forest and the silence of power

Both these satellites are called MODIS ie 'The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer'. Spanning the entire Earth in a couple of days, these twin satellites monitor Earth's land and sea changes from space. The images taken by MODIS are used to monitor changes in land use, changes in snow and ice volume, sea temperature and atmospheric turbulence, as well as disasters. The thermal infrared band and smoke detection system in

MODIS, due to its ability to cover the entire earth in a short period of time, this satellite image is used to calculate the area of ​​fires and burn areas around the world. Based on the images and data captured by the same satellite, the Ministry of Forest and Environment of Nepal and ISIMOD have jointly created an online portal called Forest Identification and Monitoring System. Which gives instant information about fire incidents across the country. According to the portal, there have been 5048 forest fires in Nepal till now in 2024. Before this, the most fires occurred in 2021 and then in 2016. Since the rains have not yet started, the wildfires continue, it would not be surprising if this year's wildfire numbers break the previous record. Even if the statistics of the last 22 years are calculated, the spread and number of forest fires in Nepal is increasing every year.

Forest-friendly environment

Forests generally require three combinations – climate, fuel and topography. High temperatures, long droughts, low humidity and strong winds are the climatic conditions that create a favorable environment for wildfires. At the same time, it is necessary to have flammable material in the forest, i.e. fuel. The dry leaves, branches, fallen trees of the forest plants and the scraps from agriculture are the fuel needed for the fire. Land topography also affects the frequency and spread of wildfires. When a fire starts on steep land, the fire spreads quickly because the flames heat up the vegetation on the higher side. So the steepness of the land adds fuel to the fire. Fires are more common in dry land than in dry land. With such environmental adaptations, if anthropogenic (disposing of cigarette butts, deliberate arson) or natural (lightning) sources of fire are available, it takes the form of a forest. The changing climate and fuel accumulated in forests have played a major role in increasing deforestation in Nepal every year.

The changing relationship between forest and community

Until a few decades ago, the relationship between forest and community in Nepal was like nails and flesh. Most of the population depended on agriculture and animal husbandry, for which forest resources such as firewood, apples, saplings, and grasses were essential commodities. But lately, firewood has been replaced by LPG gas, cow gas and electric stoves. There was no need to continue collecting apples and dried leaves from the forest after animal husbandry began to decrease. As cattle breeders also started raising 'evolved' animals, the forest grass was replaced by store feed. After plowing the land, hand tractors replaced oxen and plows were not needed. In this way, as the forest resources that were indispensable to the community until a few decades ago became unnecessary, the amount of fuel required for fires began to accumulate in our forests. Migration and low productivity of agriculture led to the barrenness of farmlands in villages. Instead of crops in the barren fields, different types of vegetation and shrubs-butyan bloom/fruit. Previously there were farmlands that served as an intermediate zone between the settlement and the forest. But now, as the fields between the settlement and the forest are covered with bushes and butane, the forest fire has become an environment where the forest fire can easily spread to the settlement and the fire from the settlement to the forest. And even a small fire in the settlement became uncontrolled and turned into a big forest fire.

Nepal's community forest is discussed as a successful program in the world. But in recent times, community forest management has become challenging due to migration, the dominance of the remittance economy, and the reduction in community dependence on forests. With the exodus of the youth, the participation and role of the youth in the work related to forest protection is shrinking due to the situation where only women, old people and children remain in the village. A few years ago, Gorkha's community forest officers were mostly around 50 years old. When we asked the reason for that, the answer of the consumers was that there are no young people in the village, even those who are here do not want to work in this way. The main reason for people's distaste for forests is that incentives from forests are becoming inappropriate or irrelevant. Due to people's changed livelihoods and lifestyles, the motivation from forests has gradually become inappropriate and irrelevant, and collective forest work with large collective participation such as: fire line construction and maintenance, monitoring arrangements, active participation in fire control has declined. Not only that, the elections and general meetings of the Forest Consumer Committee, which are held amid great participation, enthusiasm and competition, have become unenthusiastic and ritualistic. In such a situation, the role of government programs to keep forest users active could have been important, but at present such government programs are almost insignificant. Lack of community participation and lack of government involvement has affected community forest management. According to a report, currently one-third of community forest user groups across the country have not revised their action plans. In some districts this number is even higher. Since the action plan has not been revised, there has been a pause in the regular forest management activities carried out by the community. In this way, the erosion of community action and collective spirit has played a role in increasing deforestation.

Now the temperature is increasing due to climate change. Especially due to the decrease in the amount of winter rains, the drought is getting longer in Nepal. Both of these climatic factors have created a favorable environment for deforestation to occur and spread. Also, in the forest, farmland and pasture areas, a large number of wild plants such as Vanamara, Lehere Vanamara, Blue/White Gandhe, Pati Jhar, Forest Silam etc. have spread. Although there is no solid scientific study in Nepal, studies conducted elsewhere have shown that the spread of Michaha vegetation is helpful in increasing forest cover. As these plants are more flammable, they increase the amount of fuel in the forest. Such plants that spread in the vacant land between the forest and the settlement play a role in the spread of deforestation. Common methods of

control

Preparedness is less expensive and less damaging than controlling after a fire has started. For that reason, human control over the first two of the climate, topography and fuel that contribute to fires is almost impossible. Therefore, the most effective way of fire control is not to allow fuel such as firewood and leaves to pile up in the forest. Such fuel loads can be reduced by brush cutting, removal of dead trees and branches in the forest, and controlled burning. Small forest fires that are set at the right time under complete human control not only prevent large fires, but also have many other environmental benefits. Such controlled fires help to control invasive vegetation, encourage the growth/spread of fire-loving plants, and keep the forest healthy by providing nutrients to the soil. Also, it plays a helpful role in the control of diseases and pests in the forest. Controlled fire, especially in the Himalayan forests, prevents the spread of grass that is not eaten by shrubs, butanes and cattle, and the productivity of the pasture remains.

Due to lack of public awareness, people are unknowingly causing uncontrollable forest fires. For that, increasing public awareness, punishment system can be another way. Technical capacity building of community forests, construction of fire lines, proper forest management can be further steps. Especially when there is a fire in the community forest, it is now necessary to build and improve a permanent institutional structure for fire control instead of relying only on consumers. Another method of control is to develop science-based strategies and plans (such as regular identification and monitoring of fire-prone areas) for institutional fire control.

Deforestation not only destroys forests, wildlife and vegetation that have been preserved for many years, but also increases soil erosion. Outside of the burning area, air pollution increases and negatively affects human health. Deforestation also contributes to climate change as it produces large amounts of carbon dioxide. As forest resources such as non-timber crops are destroyed by fire, it has a negative impact on the livelihood of dependent communities.

The time of fire in Nepal coincides with the season of tourism arrival. The increase in air pollution caused by wildfires during the main tourist season has had a negative impact on the tourism business. Due to the increase in air pollution at various airports, the cancellation of flights has caused an additional financial burden. Despite all these damages, the seriousness of fires and forest fires is not accepted by the top political leadership. There are many established and effective methods of fire control. But to implement it, it is necessary to burn the hearts of those who run the country. Ironically, while the country is falling apart, those who live in the lion palaces of Kathmandu, provinces and villages do not have the leisure to control the glimmer of power politics.