Winter is a season of forest fires. And it seems the season has started. Just a few days back, a massive fire in Naro Gewog, north of Thimphu, destroyed more than 1,000 acres of forest, including a few traditional homes. Fortunately, there were no human casualties.

Bhutan is no stranger to forest fires. Every year, mostly during winters, fires ravage thousands of acres of forest, depleting one of our most precious natural resources, and threatening its rich biodiversity.

In 2019, Bhutan recorded 40 fires that destroyed 3,524.72 hectares of forest and 26 fires in 2020 that burned 2,387.14 hectares. In 2021, forest fire incidents spiked to  43, which destroyed 4,308.05 hectares. In 2022, 34 fires were reported, which destroyed 4,501.55 hectares. The situation reached a critical point in 2023, with 83 fires, destroying 8,731.8 hectares of forest.

While natural causes are beyond human control, the majority of forest fires in the country are caused by human negligence. Therein lies the urgent need for robust prevention strategies.

Efforts to combat forest fires have been evolving over the years. Last year, the government launched the Forest Fire Exposure Index and also adopted AI-driven geo-spatial satellite data and predictive models to anticipate and manage forest fire risks. These tools enable authorities and communities to prioritise protective measures, allocate resources effectively, and respond promptly to fire incidents. These are steps in the right direction.

In addition to technological advancements, we also need to develop our firefighting capacity, including the latest equipment and gears. Many of our volunteers who fight forest fires do not have proper equipment and gears, which puts their lives at risk. We need to build our arsenal of fire fighting tools, such as water backpacks, blowers, chainsaws, and personal protective gears, among others.

We need trained firefighters across the country. The good news is the Gyalsung programme has incorporated forest fire management modules to build skills in suppression techniques, fire prevention measures, and casualty assistance. This will definitely go a long way in building the critical pool of trained firefighters in the country.

Above all, combating forest fires requires a proactive, community-driven approach. Advocacy and awareness campaigns must be tailored to individual settlements and communities, more so in vulnerable areas. And here, local governments play a vital role, as they have reach and access to communities. 

Advocacy efforts must also go beyond general awareness to include targeted education programmes that address specific fire-prone behaviours. Villages must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent fires, from constructing fire lines to reducing fuel loads.

Local leaders, schools, and community groups should spearhead these initiatives, fostering a culture of shared responsibility. Every Bhutanese is a steward of our national resources, and it is important to instill this sense of responsibility among citizens.

The economic and ecological costs of forest fires are staggering. Beyond the loss of timber and biodiversity, forest fires contribute to soil erosion, disrupt water cycles, and release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

Our forests are the lifeblood of our nation, serving as both the lungs of our environment and a vital source of livelihood for thousands. We must make concerted efforts to protect our forests.