EVALUATING THE IMPACT ON LOCAL FORESTS AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE GROWING DANGER OF FOREST FIRES IN RANCHI, JHARKHAND

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of forest fires on local forests and ecosystems in Ranchi, Jharkhand, focusing on the period from 2005 to 2016. Jharkhand, situated in eastern India, encompasses diverse geographical and climatic conditions, with significant variations in forest cover and fire frequency. Utilizing GIS technology and satellite imagery from Land sat 8, the study analyses forest fire occurrences and their spatial distribution. The research highlights that Ranchi, along with Palamu and Garhwa, contributes notably to the overall forest fire statistics in Jharkhand. District-wise analysis reveals that Ranchi is particularly vulnerable, with the highest forest fire frequency relative to its forest cover. Grid-based analysis further classifies the forest areas in Ranchi into risk categories, showing a varied distribution of fire risk levels. The results indicate that while a small percentage of forest grids are at very high risk, a substantial portion is classified under low or least concern categories. The study underscores the need for targeted fire management strategies to mitigate the impact on high-risk areas while considering the extensive non-forest regions.