RAUTAHAT, APRIL 24
Hordes of wild animals have started appearing on the roadside due to wildfires raging in the forests in Rautahat. A herd of deer was spotted on the roadside of Dhansar looking for sanctuary from the to fire in the forest.
The forests in Turture and Lamaha under Division Forest Chandranigahapur are home to wild animals in Rautahat. With the wildfire raging inside the forest, deer, hares and tigers, among other animals, have started appearing on the roadside looking for safety.
Forest employees say that wild animals fleeing the fire have reached up to the Chure region. Turture forest is home to striped tigers.
"Wildfires and poachers have put wild beasts in trouble," said Assistant forest officer Ram Prasad Sah. Tiger, leopard and deer can be spotted in the forest, but they are being seen on the roadside, added Sah.
Due to the flames , leaves and bushes have burnt chasing the wild animals away. Meanwhile, poachers are taking advantage of the situation and shooting the beasts.
Locals accuse the Forest Division Office of doing nothing to stop poachers from shooting wild animals.
Forest Division Office, Rautahat, Chief Sunil Karna said that his office had been doing as much as it could to protect wild animals affected by the wildfires. "We are focused on saving timber and wild animals. I request locals to inform us about poachers on time and help save the wild animals," said Karna.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 25, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
