Forest Fire Management Training conducted for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in Pachmarhi

24 May, 2024

Massive forest fire incidents, especially in the Indian Western Himalayan region, such as the one in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, where four firefighters lost their lives and four others sustained serious injuries, have underscored the critical importance of comprehensive forest fire management. This entails a deep understanding of the Forest Departments and communities of how fire influences forest ecosystems, a thorough grasp of fire behaviour, and proficiency in various methods to combat fires when necessary. Additionally, it involves developing and implementing effective strategies to prevent forest fires. This holistic approach integrates scientific research, advanced technology, community involvement, and robust policy frameworks to mitigate the adverse impacts of forest fires and promote the health and resilience of forested areas.

In this context, the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystem Services (FES) Project recently organised an essential forest fire management training for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. The training took place in two batches, with the first batch from 24-25 May and the second from 29-30 May. A total of 22 senior officials participated in the first batch and 26 in the second. The event aimed to equip these officers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage and mitigate forest fires, which have increasingly underscored the importance of understanding fire behaviour, combatting fires when necessary, and developing preventative strategies.

The training commenced with a welcome address by Mr. L. Krishnamoorthy, Field Director of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. He emphasised the importance of such training sessions in preserving the rich biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh's forests. This was followed by an opening address from Mr. Purushottam Dhiman, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Green India Mission) Madhya Pradesh forest Department, who highlighted the critical role of forest fire management in sustaining forest ecosystems and ensuring the safety of wildlife and human communities.

Dr. Joachim Schmerbeck from UNIQUE Land use GmbH Consulting shared the relevance and context of the training. Designed with principles of adult learning, the sessions ensured that officers could relate to real-life scenarios and apply the knowledge practically. A field visit on the second day allowed participants to collect data on various parameters related to forest fires and their impacts. This practical exercise aimed to reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained during the training sessions.

The training concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Purushottam Dhiman, who expressed gratitude to the organisers, trainers, and participants for their active involvement. He also advocated for such training sessions to be conducted across the entire state to ensure all forest officers are well-equipped to handle forest fires. Ms. Jyoti Kashyap from GIZ acknowledged the efforts and promised continued support for future training initiatives.

Overall, the training was a resounding success, paving the way for enhanced forest conservation efforts in Madhya Pradesh. The knowledge and skills imparted during the training will undoubtedly contribute to more effective forest fire management strategies, safeguarding both the environment and the communities that depend on it.

Group photo of the participants | © GIZ/Atul Dogra

About the project

Integrating the lessons from HP-FES, a follow-up project on ‘Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystem Services (FES)’ is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, State Forest Departments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and GIZ India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It aims to strengthen forest and agroforest management to integrate the Forest Ecosystem Services approach with a focus on water availability. Read More

For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de