Forest Fire and its management strategies in Nepal

Mathema, P.

doi:10.3126/banko.v23i2.15460

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Remote sensing data showed a gradual forest loss observed in the country from 2000 to 2020 and increasing forest fire incidences (figure 2). This observation correlates with the previous studies (Mathema 2013;Bhujel et al 2017;Reddy et al 2020b;Qadir et al 2021). Such fires largely contributed to forest quality reduction as it occurs at the Earth's surface -creeping fire, as a result, annual burning recurring in the same place consumes annual growth and/or leaf litter at the ground (Sibanda 2011).…”

Section: Observed Forest Fire Incidences and Their Implicationsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…However, very limited studies have been carried out so far in the case of forest fires in Nepal. Many of them are based on past incidences and burn area estimation using online or catalog sources (Mathema 2013;Bhujel et al 2017) or using remotely sensed data for risk mapping or loss estimation (Parajuli et al 2015;Parajuli et al 2020) and forest cover analysis for carbon financing purposes under REDD+ (REDD/MOFE 2018). However, such research findings neither disseminate to the community level and public domain nor would they be part of the national policy discourse.…”

Section: Forest Fire Management Policies and Their Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study shows that about 58 per cent of forest fire is a result of deliberate burning by grazers, poachers, hunters, and non-timber forest product (NTFP) collectors; 22 per cent due to negligence and 20 per cent by accident in Nepal. Likewise, more than 80 per cent of forest fire occurs in March and April whereas about 60 per cent forest fire occurs in April alone (Mathema 2013). In addition, the changing climate has been believed to exacerbate the problem of forest fire (MoFE 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Status and Practical Implications of Forest Fire Management in Nepal

Pandey¹,

Pokhrel²,

Thapa³

et al. 2022

J. Forest & Livelihood

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Forest fire occurs globally on various scales every year, causing economic, social, ecological, and environmental damage. In a developing country like Nepal, a critical review of policy envisions and its translation concerning the prevailing wildfire scenarios is lacking which is crucial for sustainable forest fire management. We examine the existing disaster management policies relevant to forest fire, and analyse forest fire incidences and their impact on forest cover loss and eCO2 (equivalent carbon dioxide) emissions using the data from Global Forest Watch (GFW) between 2001 to 2021. We also assessed public finance scenarios for forest fire management in Nepal and correlated and compared these data with each other. Our results find that the ‘Forest Fire Management Strategy 2010’ is the only comprehensive policy document that guides forest fire management in Nepal. Despite having low political and financial support (dedicated forest fire management budget is <0.5 per cent out of all forestry sector), awareness raising programme such as celebration of forest fire management week, broadcasting awareness raising messages and information, use of forest firefighting tools and equipements are some of the ground level interventions to prevent and control forest fire. GFW data shows that 29443 visual infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS) fire alerts record (available only for 2012 to 2021), burns 207956.5 hectares (ha) area, 3.28 ha of forest cover loss, and 1132 Mg eCO2 emissions every year on average. These figures are 0.07 per cent, 0.05 per cent, and 0.0176 per cent compared to total forest cover loss, total emission (eCO2) from the forest, and proportion of tree cover loss to burnt area, respectively. Results entail that the existing forest fire management policy requires a revisit considering the changed national and international context, forest fire should be considered as a high priority by all sectors and actors because of its widespread socio-economic, ecological, and environmental impacts. Ignorance of forest fire management could severely hinder the target for national and international commitments including performance-based carbon trading and maintaining forest cover. The findings would provide insights for policy decisions to manage forest fires sustainably.

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Section: Observed Forest Fire Incidences and Their Implicationsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Forest Fire Management Policies and Their Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Status and Practical Implications of Forest Fire Management in Nepal

Pandey¹,

Pokhrel²,

Thapa³

et al. 2022

J. Forest & Livelihood

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show abstract

“…Previous study shows that 58% forest fire occurs due to deliberate setting by grazers, poachers, hunters and non-timber forest product (NTFP) collectors; 22% due to negligence and 20% by accident in Nepal. More than 80% fire occurs during spring season, i.e., March and April, while 60% happens in the month of April only (Mathema 2016). Wildfire assessments proceeding to the disaster events can be the effective mitigation measures for diminishing the potential damages and loss by wildfire (Ghimire et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildfire Risk Zonation of Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal

Singh

Maharjan

Thapa

2020

Forestry: J. Inst. Fores. Nep.

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Wildfire is one of the major destructive hazards which have significant effect on environment, society, and economy. However, limited studies have been carried out on spatial and temporal distribution of wildfire, especially in developing countries like Nepal. The objective of this study was to assess wildfire risk zonation of Sudurpaschim province of Nepal by applying Remote Sensing and GIS. Sudurpaschim province has been divided into four fire risk zones i.e., high, moderate, low and no risk zone. In Sudurpaschim province, about 30.84% area falls under high fire risk zone followed by moderate risk (58.30%), low risk (10.13%) and no risk (0.72%). Among five physiographic regions, Siwalik region is more susceptible to fire due to various factors, such as deciduous forest, topography, terrain, etc. From 2012 to 2019, about 44,342 fire incidences were reported in this province. Approximately 88% wildfire was recorded in spring, the season being dry. Overall, geographically Siwalik region and temporarily spring season should be in high priority for developing and implementing wildfire management activities in Sudurpaschim province.

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Forest Fire and its management strategies in Nepal

Abstract: Not available.Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for Nepal, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2013

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Status and Practical Implications of Forest Fire Management in Nepal

Status and Practical Implications of Forest Fire Management in Nepal

Wildfire Risk Zonation of Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal

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