From Satellites to Soil: How Akole Fire Watch is Transforming Conservation in the Western Ghats

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site and global biodiversity hotspot, faces a severe ecological crisis from the traditional practice of annual hill burning. To protect this critical watershed, the Akole Fire Watch platform combines molecular soil science, satellite fire detection, and community reporting. Discover how this grassroots initiative is empowering locals and replacing ecological destruction with real-time conservation intelligence.