When 31-year-old Sonia Bhist, from the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, married into Kharkiya village a decade ago, her life was confined to the domestic affairs of her in-laws and her two children. She supported her husband in running a tea shop in Sitlakhet, a prime tourist attraction in the pristine hills of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region.

While she was content with life overall, something started bothering her in recent years — the forests surrounding Kharkiya village were burning more frequently than earlier. According to CEEW analysis, instances of forest fires have increased 10-fold in India since 2000.

Deadly forest fires have emerged as a recurring disaster in Uttarakhand, where 70 per cent of the land is classified as forest land. A prolonged dry spell between February and June — locally referred to as ‘fire months’ — is conducive to the fires spreading.

“During my childhood, it was never as hot here,’’ says Sonia, adding that it used to be cooler with ample snowfall.

Mahatim Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer, Almora District, also emphasises that forest fires are the most important challenge the forest department has been facing in the region. “Long dry spells and extreme temperatures may have a direct impact on the probability of forest fires,’’ he says.

Forest fires also contribute to leaving the region water stressed. Hilly terrains like Sitlakhet are heavily dependent on natural springs. Trees help in the groundwater recharge in the catchment area of spring. But several springs have been drying up lately with an increase in the frequency of forest fires.

Often, the fires are caused due to farm residue burning when a small spark from the stubble turns into an uncontrollable fire. The proximity of farmlands to the forests makes the issue more precarious.

Sonia, however, did not wish to be a helpless spectator. Taking inspiration from a few women’s self-help groups dousing forest fires in neighbouring regions, Kharkiya’s women also mobilised to form a mahila mangal dal.

As the women’s committee head, Sonia convenes regular meetings to encourage others to protect the forests. The group also decided to halt burning crop residue to prevent forest fires.

“When we get information about forest fires, we gather a group and proceed to douse the fire immediately,’’ says Sonia. Armed with farm tools and branches of trees, the women join neighbouring villagers to put out the fires swiftly. A Whatsapp group also helps them pass on information quickly.

To put out the fire at the ground level, the villagers make lines and extinguish them with tree branches. To douse fires spreading from tree to tree, they cross forest fire lines and extinguish them.

“We help the forest department in curbing the spread of fires,’’ says Sonia.

Forest officials also say that managing forest fires is not possible without the community’s participation. “We need a huge amount of manpower to handle the forest fires. We need a quick response,’’ says Mahatim, adding that a quick response can be achieved only if there is support from the villagers.

The collaborative efforts of the forest officials and the communities in Sitlakhet present a sustainable model which can aid in preventing and managing forest fires across the country. Capacity building of officials and communities and a real-time forest fire-only alert system are essential to managing fires.

While concluding a meeting to track their progress, Sonia affirms, “The forest is our life. It should remain the same for the future generations as it has been for us.”

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