The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Environment Ministry, hosted a brainstorming workshop titled “Forest Fire and Its Challenges” in New Delhi today. The event brought together state representatives, experts, policymakers, and practitioners in forest fire management to address the escalating challenges posed by forest fires in India. The workshop highlighted India’s vulnerability to disasters, particularly forest fires, which have surged in frequency and intensity due to climate change, rising temperatures, and urbanization. Recent devastating incidents, including fires in Simlipal National Park, Odisha, and various regions in Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, underscored the urgency of the issue.

The importance of developing effective early warning systems, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering community participation was emphasized, with a call for a community-centric approach to enable local populations to take proactive roles in fire management. Strategies for training ground-level staff, including forest guards and local volunteers, were explored to enhance response capabilities.