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ISSN 2063-5346
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FOREST FIRE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

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Nargis Sultana, Dr. Md Omar Sarif, Akram Khan
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si5.081

Abstract

This paper utilizes remote sensing and GIS tools to investigate the susceptibility of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, a state located in Northern India. The study examines several factors, including topography, vegetation cover, temperature, and human activities, to identify regions at high risk of forest fires. The findings reveal that the state's mountainous forests and dry weather conditions increase its vulnerability to forest fires. The study stresses the importance of conducting a thorough evaluation of the susceptibility of forests to wildfires to manage and control ignition sources and decrease the impact of forest fires. This study aims to evaluate the susceptibility of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh by analysing various independent variables. The study area covers the entire state of Himachal Pradesh, and geospatial technologies such as Arc GIS, remote sensing, and Google Earth were utilized to identify areas that are susceptible to forest fires. The variables analysed include slope, aspect, elevation, land surface temperature, proximity to roads and settlements, and the fire risk index model. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the forest fire risk in Himachal Pradesh, which can help policymakers in formulating effective strategies for forest fire management and prevention. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the effectiveness of remote sensing and GIS tools in evaluating forest fire susceptibility and serves as a valuable resource for forest managers and policymakers in developing strategies for forest fire prevention and management in Himachal Pradesh.

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