The forest fires that burned unusually viciously in many of Nepal's national parks and conserved areas this dry season have left conservationists (people who look after the environment) worrying if climate change played a role.
In the Himalayan region, hardly anything could be done because of the difficult geography - i.e. relief of the land! Forest fires in Nepal's jungles and protected areas are not uncommon during the dry season between October and January.
Most of the fires come about as a consequence of the "slash and burn" practice that farmers employ for better vegetation and agricultural yields.
But this time the fires remained out of control even in the national parks in the Himalayan region where the slash and burn practice is uncommon.
In some of the protected areas, the fires flared up even after locals and officials tried to put them out for several days.
Winters have become drier and drier, so severe that pine trees in the Himalayan region are thoroughly dry even on the top, which means even a spark is enough to set them on fire. (When I was at summer camp in America we had a song for the pine trees - I'll try and find it!)
Some of the forest fires have stopped, some are still going. It has been the driest winter on record and who is to say what will happen. Keep your eyes peeled for news on global warming and climate change..... perhaps in lessons we can look in to whether or not events like hurricanes and tornadoes have happened more and if there is a link with global warming! (Like in the day after tomorrow!)
Miss Udy
No comments:
Post a Comment