1aPh. D. Scholar, Avian Biodiversity and Bioacoustics Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar-249 404, Uttarakhand, India
2bAssociate Professor, University School of Environment Management, GGS Indraprastha University, Dwarka, New Delhi-1100 78, India
3Scientific Assistant, Meteorological Centre, Indian Meteorological Department, Balwakhani, Gangtok-737 103, Sikkim, India
1bFormerly, JRF and SRF (Watershed Process and Management), G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit, Pangthang-737 101 East Sikkim
2bFormerly, Scientist ‘C’ (Watershed Process and Management), G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit, Pangthang-737 101 East Sikkim)
*Corresponding author email id: santosh_gbpihed@rediffmail.com
Online published on 31 May, 2014.
Forest fires of short to medium return intervals are quite common during the winter seasons in the state of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas, India. The forest fires of different intensities were reported from various locations of three districts of Sikkim in the years 2009 to 2011. This paper discusses and analyses the causes of occurrence of forest fires of different severity, in terms of forest area burnt by the formation of conducive atmosphere by the climatic variables such as rainfall, temperature, sunshine hours and humidity during the fire season from 2009 to 2011. These variables were analysed from the forest fire prone months November to April of the years 2009 to 2011. It further highlights that the forest fire disaster is a potential environmental threat in recent years and suggests certain short-term and long-term strategies for mitigation of forest fire in the state.
Climatic variables, Environmental threat, Fire season, Forest fires, Sikkim
