India’s Mayurbhanj is one among the World’s Greatest Places of 2023 (TIME Magazine, 2023) along with the Similipal National Park the Time magazine has included it is the only place in the world where black melanistic tigers were spotted that’s why the researchers all across the globe are curious to explore Mayurbhanj and its rich biodiversity. The Biosphere was declared as such in 1994 by the Indian Government, and in 2009, UNESCO recognized the Similipal Biosphere Reserve as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves Similipal Biosphere Reserve is the 7th largest biosphere reserve in India. Similipal was officially declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Odisha in 1979 with a 2200 km2 area, and 303 km2 of that sanctuary were recommended as a national park in 1980. Similipal (5569 km2) was designated as a biosphere reserve by the Indian government on June 22, 1994 because of its extensive biodiversity and rich natural history. 42 different species of mammals, 264 bird species, 39 reptile species, 12 amphibian species, 93 orchid species, 300 medicinal plant species (Mishra, 2008), and roughly 52 fauna species are on the verge of extinction live in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. Within the biosphere reserve, there are 1,265 settlements. Tribal people make up around 73% of population. The Erenga-Kharias and the Mankirdias are two tribes that live in the reserve's dense forests and are involved in conventional harvesting practises such the gathering of seeds and wood (Saha & Agarwalla, 2021). The tribal communities of this region are directly affected by forest fires and rely on the gathering of non-wood forest products from forests for their survival (Bahuguna & Upadhay, 2002). Forest fire has a drastic socioeconomic impact on Environment (Kala, 2023).
Therefore, in nations like India, it is crucial to monitor and manage forest fires. The availability of satellite data from instruments like MODIS, SNPP, and IRS P6-AWiFS (Indian Remote Sensing - Advanced extensive Field Sensor), obtained with excellent temporal repeatability, spectrum variability, and extensive geographical coverage, has made fire monitoring simpler. (Giriraj et al., 2010). According to Forest survey of India report Odisha represents as the largest forest fire state with 1909 fire Point in the year of 2022-23, and Similipal holds a significant stand in forest fire share of Odisha as 7th largest biosphere reserve, but periodic forest fire happening in April to June gradually reduces its forest cover between 2005–2015(SARANYA & REDDY, 2016). Forest fires can have significant impacts on the socioeconomic conditions of affected regions. They often result in the loss of valuable timber resources, agricultural lands, and grazing areas, affecting livelihoods of local communities (Coulibaly & Li, 2020). Destruction of forest ecosystems can lead to reduced tourism revenue, affecting businesses and employment opportunities. Fire-induced air pollution can also impact public health, increasing healthcare costs. Forests play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity (Kumar et al., 2022; Mina, et al., 2023). However, the increasing rate of forest cover loss has become a major concern globally. Concurrently, forest fires have grown in frequency and intensity, posing significant challenges to environmental conservation efforts. This study seeks to shed light on the correlation between these two phenomena and their collective implications on ecosystems, local communities, and climate change. Additionally, post-fire recovery efforts strain government resources, diverting funds from other developmental projects. Long-term consequences include soil erosion, reduced water quality, and disrupted ecosystems, affecting agricultural productivity and food security.
Implementing sustainable forest management and fire prevention measures is crucial to mitigating these socioeconomic impacts. Forest fires are a significant cause of forest cover loss worldwide. These fires result in the destruction and degradation of vast areas of forests, leading to the loss of valuable vegetation and biodiversity. The intense heat and flames consume trees, shrubs, and undergrowth, leaving behind charred landscapes. In addition to the immediate loss of forest cover, the ecological impacts can be long-lasting, affecting regeneration and recovery of the forest ecosystems. Deforestation caused by forest fires has a direct impact on climate change since trees are essential for absorbing carbon dioxide. To maintain forest cover and the crucial ecological services that forests provide, it is imperative to prevent and manage forest fires. the conservation and management of Similipal Biosphere Reserve have far-reaching implications for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, scientific knowledge, and the well-being of both wildlife and local communities (Dash & Behera, 2015). Its status as the 7th largest biosphere reserve highlights its scale and importance in the context of India's efforts to protect its natural heritage.