A Collective Battle for the Future: Communities and The Hans Foundation Together

(Authored by Mahima Paswan, Dr. Muskaan Negi, Vikas Sharma)

Himachal’s Annual Challenge: Every year, Himachal Pradesh faces a very high risk of
forest fires. With the arrival of summer, thousands of hectares of forests turn into tinderboxes,
and nearly half of the forest cover is affected. These fires not only devastate the green wealth
of the state but also claim the lives of countless wild animals, destroying their natural habitat.
In response to this challenge, The Hans Foundation has launched a project on Mitigation and
Prevention of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative aims to strengthen community
awareness, local participation, and volunteer-based firefighting networks, which now play an
increasingly important role in tackling fires on the ground.
When the Forest Calls: It was a hot afternoon in May when our team received a call from a
local community member there was a fire. Within 30 minutes, the team reached the site.
Strong winds had already pushed the flames deeper into the forest, spreading faster than
expected.
Around four to five community volunteers had gathered, and together with them, efforts
began to control the blaze. The heat was intense, the air heavy with smoke, and the crackle of
burning wood echoed through the hills. With the combined support of the Forest Department
and community volunteers, the fire was finally contained after hours of effort.
That incident highlighted a troubling reality: so many of these fires are caused by human
actions sometimes out of carelessness, sometimes due to grudges, and shockingly, sometimes
even for “fun.”
But what about Mother Nature?
What about the animals—especially the young ones—trapped in the flames?
What about the damage to a once lush green forest that will take decades to heal?
Location: Vill. Sunpur Baijnath (Kangra)

The Silent Victims: As we fought the flames, another painful thought arose—what about the
animals, the birds, the flora, and the fragile ecosystem that could not escape? Forest fires are
not just about burning trees; they wipe out entire food chains and destroy livelihoods
dependent on forests.
The Hans Foundation’s Role on the Ground: For the Hans Foundation, forest fire
mitigation is not just a project—it is a commitment to protecting nature itself. Our on-ground
work has shown us that true change begins when communities are empowered as guardians
of their own forests.
Through awareness, capacity-building, and innovative solutions, we are ensuring that every
villager, every farmer, and every volunteer has the tools and knowledge to act. From training
firefighter volunteers at the village level to supporting farmers with resilient practices, we are
making communities self-reliant and confident in managing the risks around them.
Because the forest is not just ours—it is home first to the animals, birds, and unseen creatures
who share this earth with us. As one of our volunteers, Goldy Devi from Sunpur village, says:
“Protecting our forests is the duty of every villager, for the first right on them belongs not to
us, but to the animals and birds who call them home.”
A Collective Battle for the Future: For the Hans Foundation, protecting Himachal’s forests
is a shared responsibility. By training village volunteers, supporting farmers, and spreading
awareness, we are helping communities take charge of their forests. The Hans Foundation
stands by this spirit. Together with communities, we are building a safer, greener, and more
resilient Himachal—because protecting our forests today is the only way to safeguard our
future tomorrow.