Death of over 65s in England highest in summer 2022 compared to 2004 due to heatwaves

The world is passing through difficult times because of heatwaves. These are the after effects of irregular rainfall, forest fires and global warming. Statistics reveal that 2803 lives have been lost in the 65+ age group during the five "heat periods" of this year's extraordinarily hot summer. This figure does not include deaths due to COVID-19. This is a matter of concern because it happens to be the highest since 2004 when the Heatwave plan for England was introduced. In July, portions of England had to endure temperatures of 40 C and an estimated 1,012 extra people died in that month. The hot weather gave rise to widespread drought apart from wildfires. These had a direct impact on crop harvest. An official of the UK Health Security Agency UKHSA said – “high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable.” She observed, "Higher excess deaths occurred during the hottest days this year and a warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future." Excess deaths for over 65s in summer 2022 heatwaves in England highest recorded since 2004. However, the month of August was worse with the death of an estimated 1,458 people aged over 65.

Bob Ward is the policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change. He said the "threat to lives and livelihoods from summer heatwaves is undoubtedly increasing due to climate change.” He urged Prime Minister Liz Truss to "act decisively by initiating a national heat risk management strategy that can be properly put in place ahead of next summer and prevent further unnecessary suffering and death across the country." Obviously, these are the undisclosed side effects of global warming and people have to realize the seriousness.

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Endangered musk deer of Uttarakhand falling victim to poachers

The musk deer is an endangered species and poachers set fire to forests to flush out these animals. The months of November and December have sub-zero temperatures and forest fores should not happen in these temperatures. But, high-altitude areas of Dharchula and Munsiyari are experiencing such a phenomenon.
This would mean that these forest fires are not a natural affair but man made and that poachers are setting them off to trap endangered animals like musk deer.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 2 January 2017.

It seems that since the first week of November 2016, residents of Munsiyari and Dharchula have been witness to smoke from forest fires more than six times in different parts of the two blocks. Such winter forest fire incidents in Uttarakhand are indications that poachers use it to trap and kill musk deer at such high altitudes.
The poachers have weapons and the number of forest guards is inadequate - the locations are very remote and any inspection needs would need a large team. Moreover, the area is vast and guards need to have proper equipment to tackle the poachers.


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Pine needles to produce electricity in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is setting a new trend in clean bio-energy by generating electricity from pine needles. These items have been responsible for forest fires and a scheme has now been devised to make use of these needles because these will be processed to generate electricity and light up homes and lives across the state.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 22 October 2016.

Two 10 megawatt (MW) pine needles gasifier plants have been set up at Tripura Devi and Simalta villages in Pithoragarh district to process these needles. These gasifier plants have been connected with the grid of state electricity company of UPCL and, it is expected that by end of October, these will start sending electric power to UPCL grids.
One pilot 9 kilowatt hour (KWH) pine needle power station had been developed in the NGO's campus at Berinag in Pithoragarh way back in 2009. It employs local women to collect pine needles in large quantities and, for every Kg of pine needles collected, they receive Rs 2. These are then processed. Approximately 1.5-Kg of needles are needed to generate one KWH of electricity. These 1.5 kg of pine needles produce 150 gm of charcoal as a byproduct and this is used for household cooking.
The company has already entered into an agreement with the state government to sell electricity produced from pine needle gasifier at the cost of Rs 4.76 per unit. This could go up to Rs 7.20 per unit since it is clean bio-energy. Incidentally, this is the first time in the world that biological waste like pine needles are being converted into electricity. The technology is totally new and patent of the technology has been applied for and it is pending.


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Forest fire devastates large areas of Agra bird sanctuary

Forest fire has devastated large areas of Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra and, the burnt carcass of a large 10 foot python was found. A baby hog deer (fawn) and baby wild boar (piglet) were rescued by NGO Wildlife SOS's Rapid Response Unit when the news of the forest fire reached them.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 6 May 2016.

In the fire that broke out in Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra, hundreds of birds, reptiles and animals were killed and injured and several hectares of forest were damaged. The fire was attributed to a spark of the high-voltage electricity wires that pass through the sanctuary to provide electricity to the neighboring villages.
Located within the sanctuary is India's largest bear rescue center and it also came under threat. It is run by wildlife conservation organisation Wildlife SOS and at present has over 210 sloth bears.
Among the animals that were severely affected were a hog deer fawn and wild boar piglet that were found orphaned. The forest officials are tending to these baby animals and Wildlife SOS is providing medical care and treatment. Once they recover, and certified fit for release, they will be released back into the wild in the presence of the forest department officials.


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Forest fire in Uttarakhand - role of timber mafia suspected

Uttarakhand is battling the forest fires that started nearly 88 days ago and have so far destroyed nearly 3,000 acres of forest cover. The National Disaster Response Force teams have already fanned out in 13 affected areas of three districts of Pauri Garhwal, Almora and Chamoli with firefighting equipment to tackle the massive blaze. The images from satellites have reported that the forest fire has gone out in over 70 percent of the affected areas.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com/news dated 2 May 2016.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the role of timber mafia in the increase in forest fires in the state is being looked into. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has indicated that there are some reports from various quarters and these are being investigated.
It seems there is an alleged nexus between the timber mafia and the Forest Development Corporation, which has the authority to sell the trees via auction, which are dead or dried. Selling the trees which have been burnt would give a huge revenue to the corporation and also benefit the timber mafia that would buy them. Moreover, the land that would get cleared from trees due to forest fires can be sold in land transfer cases - this would benefit the builder lobby. Obviously, such forest fires mean benefits to different sections of people.


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