Subhechcha Ganguly 
Recent data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Forest Watch paints a grim picture of increasing forest fires across the globe. From the Amazon rainforest to Siberian taiga and Australian bushlands, there has been a significant rise in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires in recent years.
In 2023 alone, more than 10 million hectares of forests were consumed by fires, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous decade. This surge is largely attributed to rising global temperatures exacerbating drought conditions, creating tinderbox environments ripe for ignition.
Beyond environmental devastation, these fires threaten biodiversity, air quality, water resources, and human settlements. Governments and international organizations are ramping up efforts to combat the blazes, focusing on prevention, early detection, and coordinated firefighting strategies.
Experts stress the critical need for robust global action to address climate change, the primary driver of these catastrophic events. The urgency to protect and preserve our forests has never been more pressing, as they are vital to regulating the Earth’s climate and sustaining life on our planet.
