This study provides application of Resourcesat-2 AWiFS satellite imagery for forest burnt area assessment in India. AWiFS datasets covering peak forest fire months of 2014 have been analysed. The total burnt area under vegetation cover (forest, scrub and grasslands) of India was estimated as 57,127.75 sq. km. In 2014, 7% of forest cover of India was affected by fires. Of the major forest types, dry deciduous forests are affected by the highest burnt area, followed by moist deciduous forests.

Rajasthan is the largest state of India experiencing recurrent forest fires. The present study determines forest burnt areas through remote sensing-based time series analysis. IRS P6 AWiFS satellite data covering March, April and May of six years (2005–2010) were used to cover all forest-fire events. The total forest burnt area was assessed as 53,023.5 ha in 2005; 44,681.5 ha in 2006; 57,689 ha in 2007; 89,655.2 ha in 2008; 199,837 ha in 2009 and 144,816 ha in 2010. Forest fires were observed only in the southern Aravallis.

The main objectives of the present study are preparation of baseline information on vegetation types, forest burnt area mapping using multi-temporal satellite data and integrated analysis for identification of fire-prone areas in Sirohi
district.

The Araku Valley, comprising Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest, is one of the rich biodiversity areas in the Eastern Ghats of India. The proposed bauxite mining activity by Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited in these areas would not only wipe out the virgin forests, but also destroy the pristine habitats of several endangered flora and wildlife. (Correspondence)

The present study assess spatial change in the land cover over the last decade in Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary, Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India using Landsat TM and IRS P6 LISS III images. From 1993 to 2004, the forest cover had a severe change and lost about 248.87 ha. There was increase in the scrub cover to about 1637.17 ha, which was quantified to be 172.77 ha.

Ansupa Lake, one of the two freshwater lakes found in Orissa, is vanishing slowly. Another freshwater lake, i.e. named Saro, in Puri District, has already been wiped out from the wetland maps of Orissa due to anthropogenic pressure. (Correspondence)

Freshwater basins are vulnerable to human-induced change for a number of reasons. The change detection study of Ansupa lake, Orissa was carried out by using multi-temporal satellite data clearly indicates the decrease in wetland area. Due to high anthropogenic pressure, the wetland is shrinking day-by-day.