Every summer, our forests are ravaged by widespread fires. With the exception of 2020—the year of lockdowns—these devastating incidents have cast their dark shadow over our region, year after year.

One major cause is the growing belief among villagers that burning forests, particularly pine forests, will create fertile ground for high-quality fodder grass. This notion seems to be a recent phenomenon. Just a few decades ago, when the Chipko Movement began in Uttarakhand, villagers—especially women—stood in fierce protection of trees. They embraced them, forming human shields to prevent logging. There are countless photographs of them encircling and hugging even the pines. Back then, they did not subscribe to the myth of burning forests, despite the fact that animal rearing was far more widespread than it is today.

A few days ago, I was speaking with a friend who spent most of his childhood in a village near Nainital and now lives in Haldwani. We discussed the worsening forest fire crisis and why villagers today seem indifferent to it.

One crucial factor is the shift in water dependency. A few decades ago, villagers relied on natural springs, which required a delicate ecological balance to sustain. The groundwater recharge system depended on capillaries and channels that allowed rainwater to percolate instead of running off. The dense roots of trees, particularly their fine root hairs, helped regulate this process, ensuring that water emerged from the hillside and trickled down as tiny brooks. This natural system provided clean, uninterrupted water.

However, with the proliferation of water tankers, submersible pumps, and government water supply schemes, easy access to water has led to a dangerous disregard for these ecological processes. Villagers no longer see the connection between forests and water security. Garbage is dumped along brooks. Pathways once maintained for flowing water are now neglected. Trees are indiscriminately felled. And when forest fires break out, few people care—unless the flames threaten their doorstep.

While a piped water supply is essential for every farm and household, the growing neglect of natural resources is alarming. We must reflect on our actions and foster a deeper respect for our environment. Schools could play a pivotal role in addressing this issue by educating children about forest fires—their causes, impact, and prevention. Raising awareness is one of the most powerful ways to support our forests, which suffer the brunt of these wildfires every summer.

As I sit beneath an apple tree just beginning to blossom, I find myself worrying about the absence of rain and snow in the region. The sky is clear—too clear—offering no promise of relief. In the distance, across the valley, a plume of smoke rises from yet another forest fire. The climate crisis is already taking its toll, and we humans seem determined to accelerate it. More forest fires mean less rainfall in the coming season, and less rain sets the stage for even more fires—a relentless, destructive cycle. The thought of it weighs heavily on me.

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