Preparing for forest fires
Preparing for forest fires
01 March 2010
published by www.morungexpress.com
India — Last year many incidents of forest fires occurred around the world causing alarm to helpless people caught in the inferno. For instance, Australias deadliest wildfires killed over 200 people and destroyed vast hectares of prime forest land. At that time scientists pointed out that global warming contributed to conditions that fuelled the disaster. That climate change is indeed a grim reality is evidenced by the record dry wave that is being witnessed across many parts of Indian including in Nagaland. And in fact the States department of Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife has come out with some pointer based on interactions with local farmers suggesting a marked change in the climatic patterns that have come to affect our local farmers agricultural calendar.
Coming back to the bush fire disaster in Australia, there have been similar incidents in Nagaland. Dzukuo valley was partially ravaged by fire in the year 2006. Most recently another fire struck Dzukou valley but luckily the damage was contained and there was no casualty. But it was not so fortunate for the four persons, including a minor who were charred to death in a forest fire at Noklak in Tuensang district of Nagaland. The fire started by the villagers to clear jungle for jhum cultivation spread towards the human populated areas due to dry spell accompanied by wind.
The latest fire accident at Noklak has several lessons for all concerned in Nagaland and more so because we have large tracts of forest land and where jhum cultivation is the main agricultural practice prevailing among the farmers. It is not that the State government is doing nothing but whether it is doing enough and effectively dealing with the problem is the question. The public must also share responsibility by informing the administration before carrying out the slash and burning for cultivation during this dry spell, especially if it is to be done on a large scale. In fact some of the district administrations and village councils have from time to time instructed the public to carry out traditional slash and burning operation with strict supervisions so that the fire cannot spread to places other than the clearing areas. However all such notices have failed to solve the problem why? The recent order that all grants to village development boards (VDB) would be cancelled if forest fire spread to residential areas from jhum lands appears to be a more effective step although it is uncertain whether people have been made aware of such a directive and also if the order will be implemented in letter and spirit.
To avert such kind of accidents in the State, the government should take appropriate measures besides creating awareness at the village levels especially during the prevailing dry season. This should include disseminating information capsule (in the respective local dialects) on safe farming methodology so that Naga farmers who are closest to nature are able to live in harmony with nature while enjoying the benefits therein. One is made to wonder about the State governments level of preparedness to deal with such incidents in future.
