Catastrophic forest fires swept regions across the world in 2024. Responding to the alarming conditions, the Baku Forest Declaration (issued last week), called into action – the need for forest protection and empowering indigenous populations with more meaningful roles for achieving climate justice. It has prioritized the rights of Indigenous people in climate action.
Creating awareness on the importance of forests and working closely with the community has been a HEAL priority. In 2023-24, the HEAL team has spent over 36 hours in the oversight, surveillance and management of uncontrolled forest fires raging across villages. In so doing, the team has successfully put in 50 feet wide firelines and covered 500 acres at Edda Malla. The protection of Indigenous People’s rights and an acknowledgement of their traditional knowledge in forest conservation has been pivotal in achieving this. It would be beneficial for Uttarakhand to replicate this model of work across each district.
The HEAL forest conservation activities have taken on an innovative and sustainable spin with the production of eco-friendly and sustainable handicrafts from raw material obtained at our firelines. Such as, use of pine needles and grass for production of wall art, mats, baskets, bins, stationary and so on.
The Himalayan forests, particularly, the Garhwal region, burn intensely every summer. It was very brutal in 2024. Climate change, inefficient land management practices, rising temperatures and decreased soil moisture levels have contributed to an increase in the frequency and severity of wild fires.