Application of remote sensing and GIS technology in forest fire risk modeling and management of forest fires: A case study in the Garhwal Himalayan region

Abstract

Natural disasters are inevitable and it is impossible to fully recoup the damage caused by the disasters. But to some extent it is possible to minimize the potential risk by developing early warning strategies for disasters, prepare and implement developmental plans to provide resilience to such disasters and to help in rehabilitation and post disaster reduction. Uncontrolled forest fires have adversely affected the local landscape and economy. Climatic, phenology variations and topography, apart from local factors are some of the main causes of frequent occurrence of wild forest fires in Garhwal Himalayas. Understanding the important of forest in the national economy (12% of global plant wealth), conservation of environment and biodiversity, Forest Survey of India(FSI) as a central monitoring agency is assessing and estimating the forest resources in a two years cycle. India is one of the few countries in the world to carry out the forest cover assessment and mapping using satellite data in a two years cycle period. Keeping in view the role of forest in national development, a Central Sector scheme has been implemented that includes- development of Early Warning system for forest fires, mapping of forest fire affected areas, development of a fire danger rating system, monitoring the impact of the scheme and its evaluation, identification and mapping of all fire prone areas, compilation and analysis of data-base on forest fire damage, development and installation of 'Fire Danger Rating System' and 'Fire Forecasting System'. The other measures include building up a strong communication network between the monitoring station and fire suppression teams, effective transportation, watch towers, Fire line creation and maintenance, creation of water harvesting structures, fire management plans, any other technological innovation, assistance to JFM(Joint Forest Management Committees),awareness, training and research. Remote sensing and GIS technology could be effectively used in fire risk zonation. The technology has proved to be a valuable tool in identifying different fire risk zones based on appropriate parameters such as fuel load, slope, aspect, altitude, drainage, distance from roads and settlements. The approach followed for broad based forest type classification in the study was helpful in identifying different forest types available in the area. Fuel load, slope degree, aspect, elevation, drainage, roads and settlement layers were assigned different weight ages depending upon their impact, in identification of fire risk zones. This was followed by ground verification of the generated fire risk zone maps and their comparison with incidences of forest fire in previous years. The response time to disaster relief was calculated based on the friction offered by slope, altitude and other factors. Thus, high to low fire risk zones can be identified and suitable management strategy for controlling the disaster can be prioritized in this region. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.