SMS System For Rapid Response to Forest Fires

By Neha Sinha

New Delhi, Apr 5 : In a bid to cut response time to forest fires, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) — using satellite information from the University of Maryland — has begun sending out instant SMSes to forest staff and civilians when a forest fire is detected via the satellite.

This year, there have been above 3,000 forest fires, with many days witnessing more than 500 forest fires. And while there have been several fires in the hot forests of Central India, (Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh), newer areas of wildfires have also emerged.

Earlier, FSI would send faxes to the Principal Conservator of Forests of states where fires were detected. “It was a lengthy process. Under the new system that started 10 days ago, we sent out SMSes as soon as we detected a fire, giving the latitude and longitude co-ordinates of the spot,” says R D Jakati, Director General, FSI.

The information is also being disseminated in public interest.

“The SMSes goes to anyone who is registered with us, including interested civilians. Based on their demand, we give information for the state, the district or the country, every day.”

This year, the rainy state of Mizoram has registered more than 2,000 forest fires already. “This is because slash and burn agriculture techniques are being followed there. Small fires get out of hand and grow into huge fires. This also has the potential to affect human dwellings,” says a senior official from FSI.

In 2006-07, there were 4,467 fires in Mizoram with 2,830 fires in 2005-06. The forest fire season in India is between February and May, with FSI formally monitoring the fires between the second week of November and third week of June.

Putting out forest fires is not easy — the fires rage for days and while no fire tenders can be taken to these areas, the method used is, literally, fighting fire with fire.