The hills have been burning, but the fires are now out, doused by the efforts of the firefighters. Yet, the cause is yet to be ascertained. Conflicting news reports say that the fires were due to the high temperatures that Goa experienced early this month and others say these are not natural fires but arson.
One person was even arrested in connection with this, but these fires cover a vast area so it would require more than one person to set the forests alight.
If it is indeed arson, then this is a serious crime and one would definitely like to know who has lit these and why.
The reason is also important, as there have been fears raised by the opposition in particular that these denuded forests could now be used for development purposes. There has been a demand to mark these as no-development zones.
While the cause of the fire is being determined, one does need to ask the question of whether the rising temperatures can really be blamed for the forest fires in Goa?
While the cause of the fire is being determined, one does need to ask the question of whether the rising temperatures can really be blamed for the forest fires in Goa?
That’s a very moot question that requires some data and scientific evidence to answer. There can be no challenge to the fact that the temperatures in Goa were high these past days, even a warning of a heat wave had been sent out, but the wave didn’t actually materialise.
Similarly, the storms that had been predicted for this week also didn’t break. Goa is experiencing a month of March like any other, so is it possible that the temperature could have caused the fires?
While theories abound, especially on social media, the evidence that is available is definitely not pointing to these fires being spontaneous combustion arising out of a temperature that has risen substantially.
Goa does not have a history of major forest fires, quite simply because the State’s forests have never been known to succumb to spontaneous combustion.
According to the India Survey of Forests Report 2019, just 0.05 per cent of Goa’s forests are classified as moderately fire-prone, while 99.95 per cent are classified as less fire-prone.
In the 2021 report of the ISF, this had been changed to 100 per cent less fire-prone. It can definitely be established that Goa’s forests are not prone to fire, though there have been instances of dry grass and cashew plantations going ablaze.
One perhaps needs to look at the classification of Goa’s forests, and Goa being situated in a tropical region, what the State does have are rain forests.
As per the website of the Goa Forest Department, the main forest type of Goa is the ‘moist mixed deciduous forests [3B/C2]’ that covers more than half of the forest area in the State.
Though temperatures have been high, the highest recorded is in the cities and the forest area is generally cooler, the ground shaded by the tree canopy, which pokes holes in the theory of heat wave being the cause of the fires.
In North Goa, this type of forest, again as per the website of the department, occurs around Tudal, Ordofond, Butpal, Molem, Codal, Abiche Gol near Valpoi, and Anmod ghat.
It is approximately in this area that the fires are occurring, so can there be an explanation as to why ‘moist mixed deciduous forests’ are going aflame?
Though temperatures have been high, the highest recorded is in the cities and the forest area is generally cooler, the ground shaded by the tree canopy, which pokes holes in the theory of heat wave being the cause of the fires.
The Greenpeace website gives a very pertinent explanation of fires in the Amazon rainforest that can be correlated to the fires in the Shayadris. It states, ‘It’s important to understand that fires are not a natural phenomenon in the Amazon rainforest.
The fires generating headlines around the world for the last several years are ignited by people. Generally, untouched moist rainforests do not burn. Unlike the wildfires experienced in places like California or the Mediterranean that can be naturally occurring or ignited by accident, the fires in the Amazon are often ignited intentionally.’
The key term here is ‘untouched moist rainforests’. Goa’s forests are moist, though they may not be untouched. Now, following the fires, another question that arises is what prevents recurring fires in the future in the same area or contiguous areas.
The fact is that the issue does not end with dousing the fires. It is important to determine the cause and make efforts to stop any repeat of it. But besides that, given that there are development plans in Goa’s forests the opposition demand that these areas be classified as no development zone assumes significance.
It cannot be argued that these are now denuded land and so can be used for development purposes. That’s something that Goa’s environment activists and protectors will have to look into and keep track of.