The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change tabled its 405th Report on Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The report makes landmark recommendations for deploying artificial intelligence (AI), satellite imagery, and drone technology to proactively detect and combat forest fires.

The Committee expressed deep concern over recurrent and devastating forest fires, particularly the severe blazes that swept through Uttarakhand in recent years, causing irreversible damage to biodiversity and forest cover. Citing these incidents, the panel called for an immediate shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, technology-driven fire prevention. It recommended deploying AI-based early-warning systems integrated with real-time satellite data to identify fire-prone zones and alert forest departments before fires escalate.

On encroachment, the Committee recommended drone-based surveys of over 13,000 square kilometres of forest land identified as illegally occupied. Systematic drone mapping would provide incontrovertible digital evidence to support eviction proceedings and protect forest rights.

The report also stressed the urgent need to digitally map all Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) across India. Currently, ESZ boundaries remain disputed and poorly demarcated in several states, enabling illegal construction and encroachment. Digital mapping using GIS and remote-sensing technology would create transparent, legally enforceable boundaries.

These recommendations align with India's National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF) and the Green Credit Programme. The MoEF&CC was directed to submit an Action Taken Report within three months.