The last blog that I posted explained how fires in the Northern region of Thailand are depleting soil fertility and stunting the growth of forests. However, since then I have witnessed a separate phenomenon, which has me somewhat stunted too-Fire Induced Growth.  

Having witnessed first hand, fires burning and the scorched black earth left in its path, one would think that little survives. However, on recent observations I have been struck by the presence of a verdant blossom of greenery beginning to colonise the charcoal patches of burnt ground that were ablaze no less than three weeks ago. 

The picture below shows an area of land at the end of burn.  

     

The following picture is the same area of burnt land, but three weeks later, notice the green shoots.

    

Having done some digging around I have managed to come across some previous literature on the reasons for such re-growth.

 

Certain areas where burning has occurred contain a specific type of grass called Imperata Grass, a grass that when in it’s mature form has little nutrient value. Therefore, local cattle grazers prefer to burn back the old grass and, due to the grass’s fire resistant nature, new shoots produced on burnt areas have a higher nutrient value, which is perfect for grazing cattle on. (Hoare. P, 2004)

 

Such an activity is widely practiced in Mae-On as there is a large amount of cattle farming, but unlike cattle farming in Europe where paddocks/fields are used for grazing, cows in Thailand appear to be given the rough end of the ‘verge’, so to speak. They have to forage alongside roads and other areas of less fertile importance, whilst the larger open spaces are prioritized for the cultivation of Rice and other, more lucrative, cash crops. Such grazing practices have been practiced for many decades, and fire has no doubt been an intrinsic part of feeding cattle, but maybe all that is called for is a new growth encouraging practice, cutting back the grasses using a manual method and not fire.

 

More often than not the areas where cattle are left to graze are under the jurisdiction of the highway department or other local government agencies. Therefore, such agencies could carry out an effective campaign which equips local farmers with both the tools and the financial means to carry out roadside clearing without the use of fire - Lawnmowers, Strimmers, Scythes all could be brought to arms so as to clear out the old grasses and allow new shoots to burst into life! Yes, it would involve more labour, but if the farmers are able to earn an income from clearing the verges whilst at the same time providing fodder for their herd, then surely the allure of burning would, indeed become stunted and manual clearing a more widely practiced activity.  

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