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Wildfire's threat looms in Bangladesh

Published : Saturday, 25 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 412
Bangladesh, a country known for its biodiversity and green plains, has been largely unaffected by wildfires that devastate many of the other regions in?the world. But while disaster in the form of climate change has been easy to ignore, the risk of wildfires in Bangladesh has gone from a distant threat to a growing?reality. 

Bangladesh is not immune to the phenomenon, as climate change fuels extremes in weather around the?globe. Bangladesh has?a significant warming trend over the past few decades. According to a 2022 report from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department?(BMD) indicates the annual average temperature in the country has risen by about 1.2°C since the 1970s. This temperature rise, along with longer dry seasons, lays the ground?for wildfires. In?addition, erratic rainfall patterns have resulted in prolonged drought periods in some areas, particularly in the north and southeastern regions of the country.

02 On July?29, 2023, a study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters highlighted that the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and some parts of Sylhet are becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought-induced vegetation fires. These areas,?with their lush forests and farmers that exercise no more than minor warming or extreme weather.

While natural factors, including extended droughts and high temperatures, are major drivers of global mean sea level rise,?so too are human actions. Slash-and-burn?agriculture, a type of traditional farming done in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, refers to the practice of cutting down and burning existing vegetation. While controlled burns are intended, they can easily spiral out of control under dry and windy conditions. Fast deforestation for agriculture, urbanization and logging has left enormous swaths of land with dry, combustible?material. 

According to a 2021 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangladesh lost approximately 2.6% of its forest cover between 2000 and 2020.Additionally?that improper disposal of cigarette butts, unattended campfires and other irresponsible acts can set a fire, particularly in times of dry weather. This adds to the naturalvulnerabilitiesclimate change is already?creating.

Over the last few years, the increased risk of wildfires in Bangladesh?is demonstrated by numerous cases. In 2021, a fire in the remote areas of Bandarban destroyed over 200 hectares of forestland. Investigations revealed that the fire originated from a slash-and-burn agricultural activity that went awry. Similarly, the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest,experienced a spate of small fires in 2017. Though these fires were kept contained, they sounded alarm bells even water-rich ecosystems are?not immune to climate-fueled threats. The Madhupur Sal Forest, located in the?central part of Bangladesh, has also been experiencing recurrent dry season fires, most of which are human-induced and related to warmer temperatures.

The consequences of?wildfire in Bangladesh can be devastating, as the environmental and socio-economic ramifications can be dire. Wildfires lead to the destruction of forests, loss of biodiversity, and soil degradation. The Sundarbans, home to the endangered Bengal tiger, would be particularly at risk. Smoke and particulate matter?from wildfires can lead to respiratory problems, particularly in densely populated parts of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked wildfire smoke to increased cases of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Agriculture, the main livelihood for millions, could take serious hits. Land that is burned and then rendered unproductive?makes food insecurity worse. Wildfires emit significant?quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which, in turn, accelerates global warming. It's a toxic cycle of amplifying heat and risk of?fire. The?economic cost of these wildfires including loss of timber, loss of tourism revenue, mitigation and rehabilitation cost would be an enormous national economic burden during a recovery phase.

Addressing the wildfire threat in Bangladesh requires a multi-faceted approach. Satellite-based monitoring systems that detect and predict fire-prone areas can facilitate timely interventions. The Forest Department's partnerships with international agencies for live data?exchange is a positive step. 

Educating the local populations about the threat of wildfires, the need to avoid burning in agricultural practices and the use of technology to help communities predict environmental wet or dry patterns has shown great potential for reducing human-induced?fires. For example, eco-friendly alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture, like?agroforestry, can help preserve ecological balance, while allowing for people's right to live. Fire-retardant plant species can also be planted to reduce the availability of material?that can burn when replenishing forest cover.

Stronger laws against deforestation, stricter controls over?slash-and-burn practices are also vital. The State must also?provide the required funds for developing firefighting infrastructure in these vulnerable places by training specialized individuals and providing them modern firefighting devices. Collaboration with organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), can offer technical and financial?assistance, and regional partnerships with neighbouring states can foster information sharing and joint disaster risk reduction strategies. 

The nation faces important challenges that require urgent action. Despite Bangladesh's solid achievements in disaster management, the growing wildfire threat needs urgent action today. To tackle wildfire threats effectively we need to include wildfire risk management in our wider climate adaptation framework. The government continues to support the Paris Agreement goals while creating stronger defence against climate threats. Multiple parties must join efforts to handle the wildfire threat including local officials plus scientific groups and residents plus worldwide organizations. Bangladesh can better control wildfires through joint efforts with new technology to protect its communities. 

As the adage goes, "Prevention is better than cure."By acting proactively and decisively, Bangladesh can mitigate the risk of wildfires and safeguard its natural heritage for future generations. The time to act is now, before the flames of inaction engulf the nation's green treasures.

The writer is a student, Department of Pharmacy, World University of Bangladesh



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