Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Sep 28: Goa witnessed a sharp surge in forest fires in March 2023, reversing a five-year declining trend, according to the Environment Volume II – 2025 report of the Government of India.
Satellite data revealed a steady drop in fire incidents till 2022. MODIS satellite records showed 11 fires between November 2018 and June 2019, falling to 5 between November 2021 and June 2022, a 54.55% decline. SNPP-VIIRS data recorded an even steeper reduction, from 140 fires to 20, marking an 85.71% drop.
However, between March 5 and March 15, 2023, 74 forest fires affected 418 hectares, with 348 hectares in protected zones, reserved forests, and Goa Forest Development Corporation-leased areas. Another 23 fires were reported between March 16 and April 28. Officials attributed the spike to reduced rainfall in 2022-23, leaving dry biomass that facilitated fire spread. Some fires were also suspected to result from human negligence or deliberate acts.
The report highlighted a change in Goa’s fire risk profile. Moderately fire-prone forests and scrub rose from 0.05% in 2019 to 2.98% in 2023, while extremely fire-prone areas emerged at 0.03%. Conversely, less fire-prone areas fell from 99.95% to 96.99% over the same period.
On wetlands, Goa recorded 71 wetlands within the Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in 2019, covering 1,025 hectares (0.78% of RFA).
Forest cover gains:
Goa showed steady forest growth, with the recorded forest area rising from 33.09% in 2013 to 34.33% in 2023. Forest Asset Account data (2010-11 to 2021-22) revealed a 4.61% decrease in non-forest land and a 2.29% growth in very dense forests. Most forest categories registered growth, with non-forest areas seeing the largest decline.
The RFA expanded by 47 sq km (3.84%), but the growth came with reclassification: Reserved Forests fell by 52.96%, Unclassed Forests by 59.16%, while Protected Forests surged from zero to 755 sq km, reflecting a major reorganisation of forest categories.
This mixed trend underscores the need for enhanced forest management and fire mitigation strategies in the state, especially during dry periods.