Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Forest fires

In April 2016, Nepal and parts of northern India experienced one of the worst forest fires in more than a decade (Menon and Sharma, 2016). In Nepal, the fire destroyed more than 3.5 million hectares of forest, spreading across almost all of the country. Of Nepal’s total 75 districts, 72 were affected by forest fires, which continued for around a month, destroyed properties and took at least 12 lives (Kathmandu Post, 2016). Forest fires are common in India and Nepal during the dry months of February to May. Humans cause the majority of these, either intentionally or by accident. Fires are used traditionally for a range of purposes, including as a tool to prepare agricultural land, to clear vegetation and for hunting purposes. During the dry months, these fires can easily become out of control due to dry and windy conditions (Das, n.d.). Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of forest fires in the HKH region, particularly during the dry months and hot summer months, when conditions become drier and droughts are more likely (Tsering et al., 2010; Ebi et al., 2007). For more information on the forest fire in Nepal, see: http://geoportal.icimod.org/?q=21300

Right: A satellite image acquired in April 2016 shows the widespread fire activity across northern India and Nepal. Image courtesy of NASA, by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response.

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