Guwahati, March 21 -- Forest fires continue to ravage various parts of Meghalaya, with alarming data revealing a rise in incidents that threaten the region's biodiversity and challenge the state's fire management efforts.

According to Global Forest Watch, between March 7, 2021, and March 2, 2025, Meghalaya recorded 6,451 fire alerts detected by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), including 57 high-confidence alerts reported in 2025 alone.

The state's peak fire season typically begins in early February and lasts for approximately 11 weeks.

Historical data from 2001 to 2023 reveals that fires have led to the loss of 2.29 thousand hectares (kha) of tree cover in the state, with an additional 229 kha lost to other causes...