Fire Ecology

[Lakshmi]

That a fire, which destroys plant life and puts animals in risk inside an environment, may improve ecological health may seem contradictory. Nonetheless, as fire is a natural occurrence, nature has changed as a result of it. Periodic fires are beneficial to many ecosystems because they sweep out decaying organic matter; some plant and animal populations depend on the advantages of fire for survival and reproduction.

Between commuting from one village to another, one thing that caught our eyes were patches of burnt land in the commons.

When enquired we came across the term controlled burning. A practice undertaken by the villagers dependent on the commons. This is done to increase soil fertility resulting in better yield, thick fodder etc.

What is controlled burning?
Prescribed burning, often referred to as controlled burning, entails starting scheduled fires to preserve a forest’s health in this case the common’s health. These burning are planned during a time when the fire doesn’t endanger the general public. Also, the forest should be in a state that warrants a controlled burn, and the weather should be suitable for burning while not allowing a fire to get out of control. Dead grass, tree branches that have fallen, dead trees, and dense undergrowth are among the things that are burned in a controlled fire.

This phenomenon can be understood in terms of Fire Ecology. It explains how fire affects ecosystems. This field examines how correctly managed fire can actually reduce the risk of larger, more deadly wildfires and increase biodiversity, moving beyond the myth that all fire is harmful. Fire ecology describes how fire interacts with ecosystems, and indigenous peoples have been practising fire management for millennia, embracing fire’s regenerative characteristics. Any controlled burning of the commons is done solely by the commoners and no one else are authorized to do it.

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