CONTROL OF FOREST FIRE IN TIMBER FORESTS AREA THROUGH BIOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL APPROACHES
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Pine trees cover large portions of the region and are considered as a hazard to cultivation and agriculture as well as the environment. This is because during the summer season, dry pine needles fall from the trees and cover the forest floor. Not only is this detrimental to cultivation, and the growth of grass needed as fodder for livestock, this is a serious cause of uncontrolled frequent forest fires during
the dry months. The fires damaged the fertile top layer of the soil and left a layer of pine needle litter that prevented rain water from being absorbed by the soil and contributed to early depletion of the groundwater cycle and stopped grass growth, thus depriving livestock of important food. So the question of what to do with these pine needles is an important one for forest and livestock. The focus of this study is to research alternate uses of these dry pine needles, including energy generation, which would result in an economic boost to the region. It would also greatly reduce the risk of forest fires, and therefore be of value from an environmental point of view.