Lok Sabha Question No. 104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Forest Fires
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 104

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## Forest Fires

## 104. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any steps have been taken to prevent and address forest fires in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is facing any challenge in implementing its National Forest Certification Scheme, particularly in addressing the needs and challenges faced by small-scale producers in developing countries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to ensure the exchange of traditional knowledge, technology innovation and community engagement practices in the context of forest fire prevention and sustainable forest management; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  &  (b)  The  Protection  and  Management  of  forest  and  Wildlife  including  prevention  and control  of  forest  fire  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  concerned  State  Governments  /UT Administrations. The Ministry supports their efforts by providing financial assistance under the Centrally  Sponsored  Forest  Fire  Prevention  and  Management  Scheme,  CAMPA  and  under Development of Wildlife Habitat schemes. These schemes provide support in various activities to the state forest departments towards forest fire prevention and mitigation activities including, creation and  maintenance  of  fire  lines,  water  conservation  structures,  procurement  of firefighting equipment, awareness creation etc.

Besides, Forest Survey of India (FSI), generate and disseminates satellite based information, which is 'Weekly Early-Warning Alerts' of forest fire and also 'Large Forest Fire Monitoring' alerts, to the filed forest officials who are registered with FSI. These fire alerts aim at improving tactical and strategic response to large forest fires by the respective States/UTs Administrations. Currently the number of registered users is around 2.14 lakh across the country. Further, Van Agni Geo Portal is an app developed by FSI monitors large forest fires in various States/UTs throughout the fire season and accordingly alerted the State Forest Departments.

(c) & (d) The Ministry has released Indian Forest Management Standard as a part of National Working  Plan  Code  -  2023.  This  standard  is  a  basis  for  monitoring  of  sustainable  forest management in terms of a broad framework comprising criteria, indicators and verifiers which provides  the  platform  for  Indian  Forest  and  Wood  Certification  Scheme  to  address  the challenges of small scale producers.

(e)  &  (f)  The  Implementation  of  Forest  Fire  Prevention  and  Management  Scheme  is  done through Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMc) and Village Eco-Development Committees by involving active participation of local Community.

Further, this Ministry has formulated the National Action Plan on Forest Fire (NAPFF) in the year  2018  to  minimize  forest  fires  by  informing,  enabling  and  empowering  forest  fringe communities and incentivizing them to work in tandem with the State Forest Departments. The Ministry  has  also  constituted  a  Central  Monitoring  Committee  (CMC)  which  reviews  the implementation of NAPFF and preparedness of States/UTs regarding Forest Fire prevention and management in the country.

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