We’ve made it through another year, but of course a year of many challenges, illness, environmental switches untimely deaths and economical crisis. We as global citizens hope and pray for a miracle this year and hopefully receive it through the COVID vaccines being researched and studied. Although this year shows many promises and possibilities for great achievements and healing, Nagaland starts our new year with a major disaster, the Dzukou Valley forest fire. The people at the ground level as well as on air were continuously doing their best in order to stop the spread of the fire and we applaud them for their bravery and voluntary help.
The Dzukou Valley forest fire began on 29th December 2020, of which the origin is yet to be ascertained. Fire-fighters often use the term the fire triangle which refers to the necessary elements that causes forest fires- fuel (dried vegetation), oxygen and a heat source (cigarettes, electrical sparks or lightening), which may have caused the forest fire as it can be either natural or manmade. Winter being a dry season further adds to the situation.
The forest fires in the Dzukou range have been a continuous occurrence, the first major fire reportedly in the year 2006 and another in 2018. Minor fires have occurred during the years but may have been controlled by locals and the Angami Youth Organisations before the situation got serious. In light of this event, I feel that the Dzukou range is in dire need of more fire fighting agencies and more special forces to make sure one of Nagaland’s jewels is protected and kept safe.
Yes, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDA) is already doing a great job and with the assistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the army, we are assured of the valley's safety. But what if the IAF and the Army were engaged in some other tasks and are unable to aid us when another fire breaks out? Are we prepared to fight such major disasters on our own? It is a point worth pondering. Increasing security in the Dzukou range and ensuring hikers and other tourists douse their campfires before leaving the premises are some of the measures I feel need to be improved on. Besides these, man force in the area is of much importance as we see from the events today.
Take for example the forest fire in the Australian Bush Fire last year; the fire was so extreme that it triggered its own thunderstorms. The wildfire burned about 5 million hectares killing at least 17 people and destroyed 1,400 homes. Thousands were involved in fighting the fire, 3000 army, navy and air force reservists, 3,700 firefighters and support crew on the ground, 440 emergency personnel in the city of the fire, and more than 250 firefighting personnel from neighbouring states. Of course the size of the fire here differs from that of the Australian fire but they are ready for the worst and I believe it is due to this factor that they could control most of the major fire after a long fight and prevent more damage to the forests. They used a lot of kits and had a lot of equipment to aid them in their mission. According to their National Aerial Fire Fighting Centre, they have about 130 aircrafts ready for a quick response when needed.
Forest fires also affect climatic conditions, climate change causes the forest fuel to become more dry which doubles the number of major fires as the moisture of the soil is decreased. Forest fires contribute immensely to the production of pollution, which is already a serious threat to today’s environment. Various forest fires have occurred, even last year many fires broke out in California and the Amazon and parts of Asia. The scales of the fires differ by many hectares, as mentioned earlier, but the danger still remains the same. Climate change makes the dry season drier than normal, increasing droughts, making the vegetation easily combustible and resulting in a longer fire season.
The main constraint that the fire fighters are facing in dousing the Dzukou forest fire is easy and quick accessibility to a water body. IAF choppers have to travel long distances to fetch water in special containers known as Bambi Buckets so that the firefighters in the ground are provided the much needed aerial fire fighting support. Since forest fires have become a regular phenomenon, the Nagaland government authorities can for instance consider setting up a few rain water harvesting ponds in the Dzukou Valley which will collect run-off rainwater during the monsoon season. These ponds, if scientifically constructed, can retain their water for several months and will especially be helpful in case a fire breaks out during the dry winter months such as now. The additional of a few more equipments into the inventory of the state fire department and the state disaster management authority such as fire extinguishing agents, high pressure pumps and hose system and protective equipment, all of which have been scientifically designed to curb and control blazing forest fires, will ensure that even in the worst case scenario forest fires that are ravaging through the Dzukou Valley can be controlled more effectively and efficiently.
Therefore with joint efforts from the governments in neighbouring states and ours, let us hope that the Dzukou forest fires will be contained and future fires be avoided.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr Aniruddha Babar, Nisha Dahiya and Meren. For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org
