Alarming Rise in Maharashtra Forest Fires Amid Soaring Temperatures
Maharashtra is grappling with an alarming surge in forest fires, with 97 large-scale incidents recorded since January, according to data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI). The situation has worsened in the past 24 hours, with at least 11 fires still raging across different parts of the state. Forest officials warn that as summer approaches, the risk of further fires will only intensify due to dry vegetation and soaring temperatures. Pune, a major affected region, has seen increasing alerts, particularly from areas on the outskirts of designated forest zones. While some incidents occur outside officially demarcated forest land, they still pose a severe threat to Maharashtra’s green cover. Given the growing crisis, the forest department has directed all range forest officers to establish fire lines by 15 February and deploy personnel in high-risk zones to monitor and mitigate potential disasters.
With an average January temperature of 31.3°C—1.5°C above normal—and Pune registering a record-breaking 35.9°C, the impact of climate change is evident. February, too, has seen unprecedented warmth, with Pune recording its highest average maximum temperature since 2014. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the absence of strong northern winds has contributed to the heatwave-like conditions in Maharashtra. This rise in temperature has made forests highly vulnerable, leading to a spike in fire incidents. Nationally, Maharashtra ranks fourth in forest fire cases this year, trailing Karnataka (243 cases), Telangana (118), and Andhra Pradesh (98). The figures highlight a broader environmental crisis, with forested areas across the country facing increasing threats due to erratic weather patterns and human activity.
The sustainability impact of these fires is severe, as large-scale forest degradation accelerates carbon emissions and disrupts local ecosystems. Forest fires not only destroy biodiversity but also significantly reduce air quality, exacerbating respiratory issues in urban populations. While preventive measures like controlled burns and firebreaks are crucial, experts stress that long-term solutions lie in afforestation efforts and better land management policies. The increasing frequency of fires underscores the urgent need for a structured approach to climate resilience, integrating community-based forest management and real-time monitoring using satellite technology. Sustainable urban planning must also account for forest preservation, ensuring a balance between development and environmental protection.
From a civic and urban perspective, the recent fire at Katraj Hill—where five acres of forest land were scorched—serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of natural spaces near expanding urban areas. The Pune Forest Department has registered a case under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, but with no surveillance infrastructure such as CCTV cameras, identifying culprits remains a challenge. Similar incidents have been reported across the district, including fires at Taljai Hill, where one hectare of land was destroyed, and Sinhagad Fort, where 2.5 hectares were lost. The rising frequency of these disasters calls for stronger enforcement of forest protection laws and increased public awareness. Unless decisive action is taken, Maharashtra’s forests—critical for maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change—will continue to face mounting threats, endangering the state’s environmental future.
