Burning More Than Trees: India’s Hidden Forest Fire Costs

Forests of India are burning at an alarming rate amid the changing climate patterns and amplified human interventions. The fires are degrading forests, threatening biodiversity, and accelerating desertification. While the immediate physical devastation includes loss of vegetation, property, and human life, which is visible and often quantified, the wider economic repercussions of wildfires remain insufficiently examined and underrepresented in policy discussions. Recognising the far-reaching consequences of forest fires highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive economic assessment to guide effective management strategies and the prudent allocation of resources. [Read more…]