Climate change isn’t only about melting glaciers or rising seas. One of its most visible consequences today is forest fires. We’ve seen it across California, Australia, Greece — and recently, a major fire hit Chios Island (Greece). The incident brings multiple UPSC-relevant themes together: forest fires, climate change, Mediterranean geography, Mastic resin economy, GI-linked cultural heritage, and minor forest produce.
This blog breaks it down in a crisp, exam-focused way.
Contents
🔥 Climate Change → Rising Forest Fires
High temperature, dry winds, reduced soil moisture — perfect recipe for ignition.
- California routinely witnesses brush fires
- Mediterranean regions like Chios (Greece) are becoming high-risk zones
- Longer dry seasons increase combustibility of grass & shrubs
Climate → vegetation → fire vulnerability. Classic UPSC linkage.
🌍 Chios Island – More Than Just a Fire Zone
Beyond the disaster, Chios Island is a UNESCO-recognised cultural centre.
Why is it special?
Because of Mastic Trees (from Pistacia family).
These trees release a resin (Mastic Gum) valued globally for:
- pharmaceuticals
- food & beverages
- perfumes
- traditional healing practices
Historically traded since Greek, Roman & Byzantine era, Mastic resin acts like a Geographical Indicator for Chios, making it unique and commercially irreplaceable.
🟢 What Makes Mastic Unique?
Mastic trees grow elsewhere too, but only Chios resin has high commercial grade.
Reason? Geography.
Key factors:
| Factor | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean climate | Hot, dry summers ideal for resin flow |
| Soil composition | Supports Pistacia growth |
| Low humidity | Aids resin solidification |
| Cultural skill | Harvesting technique passed through generations |
Environment + Culture + Economy → a perfect UPSC case study.
🌲 Resin Economy & Minor Forest Produce (India connection)
India too depends on resin-based livelihood systems, especially among tribal communities.
Examples relevant for UPSC:
- Pine resin
- Sandalwood extract
- Sal & Dhup wood resin
- Guggul (Rajasthan)
- Lodh tree extract
- Amber (fossilised resin, global trade)
Amber is especially fascinating — a prehistoric fossil resin sometimes containing insects preserved inside. (Remember Jurassic Park DNA reference?)
This gives you multiple points for value addition in GS3 environment, forestry, tribal economy, biodiversity questions.
How to use this in answers?
When writing for mains:
- Connect climate change with real events (Chios fire 2024)
- Highlight GI-linked natural resources
- Add global-local comparison with India’s minor forest produce
- Include a sidebar on amber fossils and cultural trade history
- Create a small diagram showing Climate → Vegetation → Resin Economy → Heritage
Perfect for Geography, Environment, Culture & Disaster Management.
Check out our GS Geography Course – Click Here
FAQs
- #MasticResinUPSC: What makes Mastic resin from Chios unique compared to other Mediterranean resins?
- #ChiosIslandUPSC: Why is Chios Island recognized under UNESCO intangible cultural heritage?
- #ForestFiresUPSC: How has climate change contributed to recurring forest fires in Greece and California?
- #MinorForestProduceUPSC: How is resin classified as Minor Forest Produce (MFP) in India, and why is it economically important?
