Controlled burns: are they desirable?

 
The Forest Department has been using controlled fires as a forestry management practice for years to prevent major fires. However, opinion is growing against such prescribed fires especially in view of change in priorities of forest management away from hardwood production to biodiversity conservation. The department is of the view that controlled burns, which is used to burn down litter, dry grass and other underbrush, will help to prevent disastrous late fires in summer resulting from accumulation of combustible material on the ground. The burning of the underbrush does not affect the big trees while larger fires would. So, controlled fires have been prescribed even in the management plans of wildlife sanctuaries. Burning will also facilitate growing of fresh grass favored by animals, it says.
However, experts are almost, unanimous in their opinion that the controlled burns would prevent regeneration of degraded forests in the State. Those who agree with limited application of controlled burning for fire control object to the timing and manner in which the prescribed burning is being, done. The burnings were being carried out without proper monitoring and there were several instances if fires going out of control. Studies have shown the burning of forests too often poses serious threat to biodiversity and their cumulative effect may be as profound as high intensity fires. Fire can sign9ificantly alter the ability of a landscape to capture and retain water, nutrients and carbon, through its effects on soil macro fauna.


(The Hindu, 4th  June 2007)