Forest fires continue to wreak havoc across large parts of Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the lower hill regions of Kangra district where vast stretches of pine forests have virtually turned into tinder boxes during April and May. Former Health Minister and Sullah MLA Vipin Singh Parmar says that that the ongoing financial crisis and the lack of adequate budget allocation to the Forest Department have significantly weakened the state’s ability to prevent and control forest fires. In the absence of sufficient funds, the forest authorities have failed to make timely arrangements such as the creation of fire lines, deployment of firefighting equipment, hiring of temporary fire watchers and ensuring rapid response teams in vulnerable forest areas in Kangra district.
As a result, forest fires are spreading rapidly in several districts, causing extensive damage to biodiversity, wildlife habitat and green cover. Environmentalists warn that if immediate preventive measures are not taken, the ecological balance of the fragile Himalayan region can suffer long-term consequences.
According to local residents and officials, almost every third forest area in lower hills of Kangra district has witnessed fire incidents during the current dry season. Thick layers of dry pine needles on the forest floor, combined with rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells, have further intensified the crisis.
Experts say climate change is playing a major role in increasing the frequency and intensity of forest fires. A senior scientist associated with CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, says that periodic rainfall usually keeps trees and vegetation moist, reducing the possibility of large-scale fires. However, changing weather patterns and declining pre-monsoon showers have made forests highly vulnerable.
“Small fires occurring occasionally in forests may not permanently alter their structure because forests rejuvenate themselves naturally. But if such incidents continue at the present frequency, it will become a serious ecological problem,” the scientist observes.
Human activities are also contributing significantly to the growing menace. During April and May, many villagers in hilly areas deliberately burn dry grass in expectation of better grass yield after the monsoon season. Such a practice often triggers uncontrolled forest fires that quickly spread to nearby woodland areas.
Subhash Sharma and KB Ralhan, both environment experts and members of NGO People’s Voice, have urged the state government to allocate adequate funds for forest fire management, strengthening ground-level monitoring and launching awareness campaigns in rural areas to prevent human-induced fires. They say that unless preventive measures are not implemented urgently, Himachal Pradesh may continue to witness devastating forest fires every summer.
