Forest fires can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. To mitigate forest fires, steps need to be taken to prevent them from starting, detect them early if they do occur, respond rapidly, and manage the forest in a way that reduces their risk and severity. Analyse.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

6. Forest fires can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. To mitigate forest fires, steps need to be taken to prevent them from starting, detect them early if they do occur, respond rapidly, and manage the forest in a way that reduces their risk and severity. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

Forest fires continue to rage in Odisha after the state recorded 642 large fire incidents from March 2-9, 2023 — the highest in the country during the period, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) data.

Key Demand of the question:

 write about natural and anthropogenic causes of forest fires in India and measures need to mitigate them.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by defining forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.

Body:

First, write about the natural reasons of forest fires – lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, and spontaneous combustion etc.

Next, write about the anthropogenic reasons of forest fires – intentional fires, accidental fires, and climate change etc.

Next, write about the steps that are needed to mitigate them – prevention measures, early detection, controlled burns, forest management, and collaboration among different agencies and communities.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.