Forest Fire Risk Zone Mapping in Tropical Forests of Saranda, Jharkhand, Using FAHP Technique

Abstract

AbstractThe forest fire has severe environmental and societal consequences causing millions of monetary losses every year in the form of loss of forest resources, animals, and man-made infrastructures globally. Mapping and monitoring of forest fire and its severity are essential to examine the loss of forest cover resources, environmental degradation, release of carbon, etc. The present study attempts to demarcate the forest fire-prone zones in Saranda forests, Jharkhand state, India, which houses Asia’s largest Sal forest area (769 km2). The Sentinel 2A multispectral satellite data and ALOS PALSAR digital elevation model (DEM) data were used to identify the forest-fire prone zones employing the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). The adopted method indicated a high modelling accuracy (overall 88% and kappa coefficient 84%). The study identified that about 77% area of the total forest area is under moderate to very high risk of a forest fire. The study suggests that the dense forest areas, which are characterized by high humidity and residing at higher altitudes, are less prone to a forest fire risk. Alternatively, the open and moderately dense forests at drier regimes are more prone to a forest fire. The developed maps are essential for forest cover management and preparedness to minimize the consequences of a forest fire. Various initiatives such as awareness programs, safeguarding forests from human interventions, formulation of forest fire task forces, and afforestation of native species in the open and disturbed forests in the moist areas are required to mitigate the forest fire risk in the Saranda forests.KeywordsForest fireFAHPSentinel 2AALOS PALSARSaranda forest