Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji
Panaji, Jun 10: In a major step towards preserving Goa’s green cover and preventing natural disasters, the state forest department is joining hands with BITS Pilani’s Goa campus to develop a scientific early warning system for forest fires.
The collaboration aims to forecast the likelihood of forest fires in advance by analysing critical environmental factors such as temperature, humidity levels, and biomass accumulation on the forest floor. The predictive model will provide real-time fire probability alerts, allowing forest officials to act before fires erupt.
Dr Rajiv Chaturvedi, Associate Professor at BITS Pilani’s Ecology and Climate Lab, explained, “Humidity plays a crucial role in the ignition and spread of forest fires. Although Goa generally experiences high humidity, climate change is now increasing the number of very dry days during fire season.” He added that with temperatures in the state expected to touch or exceed 40°C in the coming years, the risk of forest fires is likely to intensify, necessitating robust preparedness mechanisms.
The initiative stems from the devastating forest fires that swept through the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in 2023. The newly proposed system will mark a significant upgrade from the current satellite-based detection system, which only alerts authorities after a fire is visible.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kamal Datta, confirmed that the government has greenlit the partnership. “We have received approval to collaborate with BITS Pilani and will soon formalise the agreement through an MoU. This system will identify vulnerable zones and help implement mitigation measures before fires start,” he stated.
Data from the forest department’s six weather stations across Goa will be shared with BITS Pilani, and in turn, the institute will also integrate satellite data from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to improve forecast accuracy.
Between November 2024 and June 2025, Goa recorded 25 fire alerts — 10 within forested zones and 15 outside. Despite being officially classified as a "very low" fire-prone area for 98% of its forest area, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has flagged growing concerns.
ICAR’s vulnerability mapping study indicates that nearly 39% of Goa’s Forest cover is “very highly” prone to fire outbreaks. Historically, Goa’s forests have remained largely unaffected due to heavy annual rainfall. However, in recent years, the emergence of human-induced pressures — including land-use changes, infrastructure expansion, and suspected cases of arson — have increased fire vulnerability.
Forest watchers and local villagers have been instrumental in detecting fires quickly, enabling timely intervention. “With their support, we have managed to control fires within two hours of detection,” Datta noted.
The new warning system is expected to significantly strengthen Goa’s forest fire preparedness and protect its precious biodiversity from the looming threats posed by climate change and human activity.