DEVELOPMENT OF A FOREST FIRE FORECASTING SYSTEM FOR WESTERN GHATS, INDIA USING WEB BASED GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) AND REMOTE SENSING

Funding Agency: PAN ASIA ICT R&D Grants Program, IDRC and UNDP

The present scenario of forest fire situation and forest degradation in Kerala emphasize the need for developing a new and effective model for fire prone area mapping and popularizing it by taking advantage of the Information Communication Technology (ICT). The major objective of the project is to develop the most effective method for forest fire forecasting in southern Western Ghats by using GIS and Remote Sensing data. The specific objective included in the study are (i) recording the occurrences of Forest Fire, its causes and consequences; (ii)mapping of forest fire risk areas of southern Western Ghats using GIS and Remote Sensing; (iii)developing a Forest Fire Forecasting System for southern Western Ghats based on Topographic and Meteorological factors; (iv)presenting the results using internet and GIS and (v)Networking and Capacity building of local organizations, schools, Forest Department in the fire prone areas.

The project produced a detailed analysis report on the forest fire situation in Kerala, its causes, consequences and solutions. Forest Fire Risk Area maps for three wildlife sanctuaries in southern Western Ghats (Neyyar, Chimony and Chinnar) were generated and further, it provided networking of local organizations and capacity building in fire management for major stake holders.. The final outcome is in the form of a web based Forest Fire Forecasting Model for Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary, the technology of which can be replicated in other areas with location specific modification. The forest fire forecasting system developed by this project will help the Forest department to develop a more efficient fire management plan in general and for Neyyar Wild life Sanctuary in particular. This will also benefit the communities staying in the forest adjacent areas whose livelihood depends mainly on forest related resources. The forecasting and prevention of forest fire will reduce the degradation and loss of biodiversity of the area and make the system, capable of providing all other ecosystem services to the entire community.