Forest fire as a potential environmental threat in recent years in Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas, India

Abstract

Forest fires of short to medium return intervals are quite common during the winter seasons in the state of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas, India. The forest fires of different intensities were reported from various locations of three districts of Sikkim in the years 2009 to 2011. This paper discusses and analyses the causes of occurrence of forest fires of different severity, in terms of forest area burnt by the formation of conducive atmosphere by the climatic variables such as rainfall, temperature, sunshine hours and humidity during the fire season from 2009 to 2011. These variables were analysed from the forest fire prone months November to April of the years 2009 to 2011. It further highlights that the forest fire disaster is a potential environmental threat in recent years and suggests certain short-term and long-term strategies for mitigation of forest fire in the state.