Island Wildfires: The Ecological Toll of Irresponsible Travel

Island Wildfires: The Ecological Toll of Irresponsible Travel

By Author

Published on September 25, 2023

Wildfires are currently devastating Tenerife, a Spanish island in the Canary Islands, a popular tourist spot. Forbes termed these wildfires the "most complicated fire in 40 years" in the Canary Islands. Over the weekend, more than 26,000 people were evacuated from Tenerife, just a month after wildfires had badly affected La Palma, another Canary Island, leading to the evacuation of about 4,000 residents.

Unlike the tragic loss of life experienced on Hawaii's Maui Island, where 114 people have sadly died, Tenerife has not reported any fatalities due to these wildfires. In Maui, the situation is grim, with officials estimating that up to 1,000 people may still be missing. However, the reasons behind these wildfires on both Tenerife and Maui share common elements: a harmful mix of climate change and excessive tourism.

Climate change is the primary cause of the worsening impact of wildfires worldwide, and islands are especially at risk. In recent years, the Greek islands, the Canary Islands, and Hawaii have all faced more droughts and rising temperatures. In Hawaii, for instance, rainfall and streamflow have significantly decreased over the past three decades, with 90% of the state now receiving less rainfall than a century ago.

One of the unique factors contributing to wildfires on islands is wind patterns. Wind tends to blow more strongly over the ocean than over land, creating a smoother flow. Land features like hills, mountains, and forests can slow or direct the wind, making it more likely to cause and spread wildfires. Strong winds were a significant factor in the devastating wildfires on Hawaiian, Greek, and Spanish islands. In Maui, wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour were recorded, potentially causing power poles to fall and ignite wildfires.

Limited infrastructure on islands exacerbates their vulnerability to wildfires, particularly in remote areas. When wildfires grow uncontrollable, external support from other parts of the country becomes necessary. For example, the Greek wildfires in July required assistance from other European Union member states, including 500 firefighters, 100 vehicles, and seven planes from ten different countries. Similarly, the Canary Islands sought help to combat the wildfire on Tenerife.

Excessive tourism significantly increases the wildfire risk on these islands. The high number of tourists strains limited resources, such as water. Inhabited Greek islands often face severe water shortages due to small catchment areas, low rainfall, and overuse of aquifer resources, which worsens during the summer tourist season. Moreover, the majority of wildfires are human-caused, with humans responsible for about 85% of all wildfires in the United States, according to the National Park Service.

While the exact cause of the wildfires on Maui is uncertain, those in the Canary Islands and Greece were known to be ignited by human activity. Unfortunately, these wildfires often result from negligence or intentional actions. For instance, the regional president of the Canary Islands confirmed that the Tenerife wildfire was deliberately started by humans.

Island ecosystems are particularly delicate, with many indigenous species isolated for thousands of years. The introduction of invasive plant species by settlers in recent centuries has significantly disrupted these ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to wildfires. Invasive, fire-adapted grasses now cover a significant portion of Hawaii, fueling wildfires.

To combat these wildfires effectively, experts are turning to traditional indigenous methods that emphasize preventive measures rather than reacting to wildfires once they start. These methods have been used for centuries but have been largely marginalized due to colonization and persecution of indigenous communities.

The devastating wildfires on islands like Tenerife, Maui, and Greek islands result from climate change and are worsened by excessive tourism. Islands face unique challenges due to their vulnerability to wind patterns, limited infrastructure, and fragile ecosystems. Responsible tourism, support for local communities, and the integration of indigenous fire management practices into policies are essential steps in mitigating these destructive wildfires. By making thoughtful choices in how we travel, we can help protect these beautiful destinations from turning into disaster zones.


Godrej Home Lockers Teams Up With Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Ranveer Singh to Redefine Home Security

By Hariharan U

Published on March 21, 2026

Godrej has always stood for trust and protection in Indian homes, and its latest campaign makes that message impossible to miss. The Security Solutions Business of Godrej Enterprises Group has collaborated with the highly anticipated film Dhurandhar: The Revenge, featuring Ranveer Singh, to launch a co-branded digital campaign that puts Godrej home lockers squarely at the centre of the home security conversation.

The concept is a natural fit. Dhurandhar, as a word and as a character, carries weight: strength, resilience, and an unshakeable sense of dependability. Those are precisely the values Godrej has built its security portfolio around, and the collaboration uses the film's powerful narrative to bring that connection to life in a way that feels culturally relevant and immediately relatable.

A co-branded video featuring Ranveer Singh has been launched across digital platforms, blending cinematic storytelling with a strong product narrative that highlights the robustness and reliability of Godrej home lockers. The campaign is being amplified through YouTube, Connected TV, and Meta platforms, targeting audiences where the conversation about both entertainment and home safety is most active.

Pushkar Gokhale, Business Head of the Security Solutions Business at Godrej Enterprises Group, explained what drew the brand to this collaboration. "Dhurandhar: The Revenge as a concept represents strength, resilience, and dependability, values that are deeply embedded in our brand ethos. By collaborating with a cultural moment led by a dynamic personality like Ranveer Singh, we can bring alive the idea that true strength lies in securing what matters most. Our home lockers are designed to be that unwavering protector for Indian households."

The campaign arrives at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly thinking about both physical and digital safety at home. Godrej's Security Solutions Business has been responding to that shift with advanced home lockers that bring together modern technology and the kind of legacy trust that has been built over decades.

Positioning the product as the true Dhurandhar of the household is a smart and memorable way to make that case, and with Ranveer Singh delivering the message, the reach is guaranteed to be significant.


IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 16, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a Gateway hotel in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. With this addition, the Gateway brand has reached a significant milestone of a 50-hotel portfolio. The upcoming property will be developed as a conversion project.

Speaking about the development, Ms Leah Tata, Vice President & Brand Leader, Gateway Hotels & Resorts, IHCL, said, “The re-imagined Gateway’s ethos is centred on the idea of creating a ‘Gateway to a Destination’, with hotels that are closely connected to the cultural fabric of the location. This strength of the brand has enabled it to rapidly scale to a 50-hotel portfolio, capturing the growth in business and leisure markets across metros cities, state capitals and commercial centres. With the addition of Gateway Hyderabad, the brand debuts in the city and we are delighted to partner with Mr. D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr. DVS. Soma Raju for this project.”

Located in the heart of Hyderabad, the 225-key Gateway Somajiguda, Hyderabad will offer a range of dining and recreational facilities. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a lounge. Leisure amenities will include a modern gym, health club, swimming pool and treatment rooms.

The property will also cater to meetings and events with extensive conference infrastructure. It will include 11 banquet halls, with the largest spanning approximately 10,000 square feet, supported by multiple meeting rooms, making it suitable for both corporate gatherings and social events.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr DVS. Soma Raju said, “We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL for this project. We look forward to bringing a refreshed hospitality experience to Somajiguda.”

Somajiguda is one of Hyderabad’s prominent commercial and residential areas, known for its corporate offices, retail establishments, and healthcare institutions. Its central location makes it a strategic destination for business travellers as well as leisure visitors.

With the addition of this project, IHCL will have eight hotels in Telangana, including three currently under development, further strengthening its footprint in the region.

Mr D. Siva Rama Raju, an entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, began his professional journey in agriculture and civil contracting before establishing himself as a leading real estate developer and hotelier in Hyderabad. He is also recognised for his philanthropic and religious contributions.

Mr DVS. Soma Raju, an MBA graduate from the University of Dubuque in the United States, has gained hands-on hospitality experience both in the U.S. and India. He previously led the development and operations of a hotel in Hyderabad and later co-founded a large-scale 999-bed medical tourism project.


Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival 2026 Inaugurated in Uttarakhand

Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival 2026 Inaugurated in Uttarakhand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 10, 2026

The Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival 2026 was inaugurated at Tehri Lake from 7 to 9 March 2026, marking another important step in promoting Uttarakhand as a destination for adventure tourism. The event was officially launched by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Sri Pushkar Singh Dhami at Koti Colony in Tehri.

Addressing a large gathering that included athletes, tourists, and local residents from across India and abroad, the Chief Minister shared the government’s vision of transforming Tehri into a global hub for tourism and adventure sports. He expressed confidence that the scenic Tehri Lake, surrounded by the Himalayas, will soon gain international recognition for tourism, culture, and outdoor adventure activities.

Highlighting the purpose of the festival, Sri Pushkar Singh Dhami said the initiative brings together tourism, sports, environmental awareness, and local culture on a single platform. He noted that Tehri Lake is not only known for its natural beauty but is also emerging as an important centre for adventure sports. The festival marks the third international-level event hosted at the lake in the past two months.

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The Chief Minister also spoke about several development projects currently underway in the region. Projects worth more than ₹1,300 crore are being implemented to strengthen tourism infrastructure. These include the development of Tehri Lake, construction of a ring road, and the transformation of Timad village into a tourism village.

Adventure activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving are becoming increasingly popular at the lake. The state government is also working on developing modern training facilities to support young athletes from Uttarakhand and help them compete at national and international levels.

During the event, the Chief Minister announced that the Koti Colony–New Tehri Ropeway will be developed to further improve tourism infrastructure in the region.

He also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a strong emotional connection with Uttarakhand and has consistently encouraged initiatives that support tourism and development in the state. The Chief Minister highlighted other sporting events promoted in Uttarakhand, including the high-altitude marathon at Adi Kailash and the MTB Challenge in Mana Village.

Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said the festival is helping connect different parts of the district while supporting regional development. Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah added that collective efforts are essential for the overall progress of Tehri and for strengthening its recognition at national and international levels.

Several public representatives and officials were also present at the event, including MLAs Kishore Upadhyay, Vikram Singh Negi, Vinod Kandari, and Shakti Lal Shah, OBC Commission Chairman Sanjay Negi, District Panchayat President Ishita Sajwan, and District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal, along with athletes, tourists, and local residents in large numbers.

Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival is District Tehri Garhwal’s flagship celebration that brings together adventure, culture, and creativity. The multi-day festival features sports competitions, cultural performances, and artistic showcases, attracting participants from across India. The event aims to highlight regional talent while promoting sustainable tourism and the vibrant spirit of the Himalayas.

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