A recent study has revealed a significant surge in forest fires across Northeast India, attributing the increase to climate variability. Researchers from India and Brazil analyzed over 360,000 fire incidents between 2001 and 2022 across the Seven Sister States—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura—using NASA’s MODIS satellite data. The study found a strong correlation between fire occurrences and climatic factors, particularly low rainfall and high solar radiation. 

Mizoram reported the highest number of fire incidents, accounting for 24.2% of the total, followed by Assam (19.8%) and Manipur (16.3%). The majority of fires occurred between March and April, with March alone accounting for nearly 62% of annual incidents. Fire-prone areas included woodlands, shrublands, regrowth areas, evergreen forests, and cropland mosaics.

Lead researcher Prof. Manoranjan Mishra from Fakir Mohan University emphasized the cyclical nature of climate change and forest fires, noting that increased dry spells and higher temperatures lead to more frequent and intense fires. However, the study also observed a slight decline in fire frequency since 2010, coinciding with modest increases in rainfall and regional cooling, suggesting that improved water management and early warning systems could mitigate future risks.