‘Stop forest fires’ awareness campaign

‘Stop forest fires’ awareness campaign

The Tirthan Valley, nestled within the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in India, has long been a region of immense ecological value and natural beauty. However, over recent decades, the valley has faced a significant decline in forest cover due to rampant forest fires. This loss has severe repercussions, not just for the local biodiversity but also for the global climate and the millions of people dependent on these forests for water and resources.

Since 2013, Himalayan Ecotourism (Heco) has been actively involved in conservation efforts in this region. Our commitment to preserving the Himalayas’ unique environment led us to confront the escalating issue of forest fires, which has caused the once-dense forests of Tirthan Valley to become increasingly barren.

For centuries, the forests of Tirthan Valley have been a sanctuary of biodiversity, home to myriad species of flora and fauna. Elderly villagers fondly recall their childhoods when the mountains were blanketed with thick forests, and the air was filled with the songs of birds. However, as years passed, the region has witnessed a stark decline in forest cover, primarily due to tree cutting and to the increasing frequency of forest fires.
In our early years of operation, we noticed that these fires were not naturally occurring but were, in fact, man-made. This realization brought us some relief, knowing that the problem was one we could address through human intervention. Our team at Heco began extensive research to understand the root causes of these fires and to formulate a strategy for mitigating them.

Our research revealed that 97% of forest fires in the Tirthan Valley are intentionally set by local residents. The reasons behind this destructive practice are varied and deeply rooted in the local culture and economy. One of the causes is the persistence of superstitious beliefs. For example, some villagers believe that by burning the forest, the smoke will rise to the heavens, reach God’s eyes, and cause Him to cry, bringing rain to the parched lands.
But beyond these beliefs, economic factors play a crucial role. Villagers often burn forested areas to clear land for grazing livestock, ensuring grass growth. Another significant cause is the collection of minor forest products like the Gucci mushroom, which thrives on ashes and is highly valued in the market. Additionally, timber smuggling is facilitated by burning forests, making it easier to cut and transport timber after the land is cleared of thorny bushes.

Ultimately, villagers set fires for immediate economic benefits, unaware that the long-term losses for future generations far outweigh these short-term gains.

Given the alarming situation, we at Heco launched the ‘Stop Forest Fires’ awareness campaign to address this critical issue. The campaign, which began in 2018, was designed to educate the local community about the dangers of forest fires and to promote sustainable practices that protect the environment.

Phase 1 : Research and Community Engagement

The first phase of the campaign involved a thorough investigation into the causes of forest fires. We conducted interviews with villagers, local authorities, and environmental experts to gather insights into why these fires were being set and how we could effectively intervene. This research confirmed that the majority of fires were set intentionally, driven by a combination of misguided beliefs and economic incentives.

Armed with this knowledge, we began engaging with the community to raise awareness about the harmful effects of forest fires. We placed large road signs at strategic locations throughout the valley and distributed hundreds of posters in villages, local dhabas, and shops. The response was encouraging, with many locals expressing support for the campaign and a willingness to participate in our efforts.

Phase 2 : Educational Outreach and the ‘I am a Defender’ Campaign

Changing deeply ingrained practices and beliefs is no easy task, particularly in a region where social norms are strongly influenced by tradition. We recognized that the most effective way to bring about lasting change was to focus on educating the younger generation. Children, who are more open to new ideas and less bound by traditional practices, became the primary target of our educational outreach.

In 2018, we launched the ‘I am a Defender’ campaign, aimed at empowering children to become ambassadors for forest conservation. Working with a designer, we created a logo and printed T-shirts, badges, and other merchandise with the campaign’s message. These items were sold at a nominal cost to local residents, who proudly wore them, signaling their commitment to protecting the environment.

In addition to distributing merchandise, we organized presentations in local schools to educate children about the ecological importance of forests and the devastating impact of fires. Our team, including local employees like Poonam and Anju, conducted interactive sessions with students, explaining the issue in simple terms and using colorful pamphlets and posters to illustrate key points.

The campaign’s impact was immediate and significant. In the 2018-19 season, there was a noticeable reduction in the number of forest fires in the Tirthan Valley. This success was recognized by the Forest Department of the GHNP region, which praised our efforts and the positive change we had achieved.

Despite the success of the initial campaign, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought new challenges. The pandemic halted all tourism-related activities, depriving local communities of their primary source of income. In response, we at Heco decided to pivot our focus towards reforestation efforts, which would provide both environmental and economic benefits to the region.

Reforestation Initiatives

We began a series of reforestation projects in partnership with our GHNP cooperative members. The first plantation was carried out in the village of Pekhri in 2020, followed by a second in Nadhar in 2021. These initiatives involved planting thousands of trees and protecting the sites with fences to prevent grazing by animals.

Unfortunately, in 2023, a devastating forest fire destroyed much of the newly planted area in Nadhar, underscoring the ongoing need for fire prevention. This setback forced us to reconsider our approach and re-emphasize the importance of stopping forest fires as a prerequisite for successful reforestation.

Renewing the ‘Stop Forest Fires’ Campaign in 2024

In light of these challenges, we decided to reignite the ‘Stop Forest Fires’ campaign in 2024 with a renewed sense of urgency and a more structured approach. This time, we divided the Tirthan Valley into different sectors, each managed by a local coordinator and teams of volunteers. These teams were responsible for conducting awareness drives, placing posters in key locations, and engaging with the community to spread the campaign’s message.

One of the most significant components of the renewed campaign was the school awareness drive. We visited schools throughout the valley, conducting sessions that included presentations, documentary screenings, and discussions about the consequences of forest fires. Students were given informative pamphlets and posters, and they were encouraged to take small steps towards protecting their environment.

Our goal for the 2024 campaign is to maintain continuous engagement with the community, ensuring that the message of forest conservation is consistently reinforced. We aim to create a lasting impact by instilling a sense of responsibility and stewardship in the younger generation, who will be the future protectors of the Himalayas.

If you want to get more updates and information about our Stop forest fire awareness campaign, you can follow the facebook page below :

Click here to see our work so far.

The ‘Stop Forest Fires’ campaign is not just about preventing immediate environmental damage; it is about building a sustainable future for the Tirthan Valley and its residents. By addressing the root causes of forest fires and engaging with the community at all levels, we hope to create a culture of conservation that will endure for generations to come.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of protecting the Himalayas and promoting sustainable development in the region. We invite everyone – locals, tourists, and supporters from around the world – to join us in this vital effort to safeguard one of the world’s most precious natural landscapes.

For more information and updates on our campaign, please follow our Facebook page.