Hyderabad: Telangana’s forests are grappling with an unprecedented fire crisis, with forest fire incidents increasing from 12,927 incidents in 2017 to 13,497 in 2024, according to the India State of Forests Report 2023. Centrally administered areas have the highest number of fires. Events
The report highlighted the seriousness of the situation, listing Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts among the top 10 districts in the country for forest fire incidents. Between November 2023 and June 2024, Telangana recorded 3,983.28 sq km of burnt forest area, behind Andhra Pradesh (5,286.76 sq km) and Maharashtra (4,095.04 sq km).
“Forest fires have been an integral part of forest ecosystems, playing an important role in shaping their conservation and management. Despite their benefits in regenerating and clearing the forest floor, The losses associated with fire far outweigh the benefits due to dry winters and delayed monsoons leading to increased fire occurrences causing widespread damage,” read the report, adding, “Additionally, Human carelessness often leads to forest fires , including loss of human life, loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, loss of productivity, landscape destruction and disruption of livelihoods.”
Negligence practices
The state’s tiger reserve is also getting hotter. The Nagarjuna Sagar Srisalem Tiger Reserve saw an increase in fire incidents from 1,919 in 2019 to 2,644 in 2024, while the number in Amarabad Tiger Reserve increased from 897 to 1,224 during the same period.
Forest officials attribute about 80 percent of these fires to human activities, pointing to the use of beedi smoking by shepherds and herdsmen, as well as agricultural practices used by farmers. Deliberate fires are set in rural areas to grab land, which worsens the situation.
“Agricultural activities such as controlled burning of crop residues can also run out of control and lead to wildfires. Sparks from machinery or power lines can also ignite dry vegetation, especially hot and in windy conditions.” A forest department official said.