Parbat, April 30

A massive wildfire, which started on Thursday night in a forest area of Panchase, has yet to be brought under control.

The forest area, which borders Parbat, Kaski and Syangja districts, is home to diverse floras and faunas. The fire is threatening endangered species of birds, animals and herbs in the forest area.

The bushfire, which has spread in 5,500 hectares of Panchase forest area threatens 12 kinds of rare trees, 10 kinds of medicinal herbs, 113 kinds of Sungabha flower, eight types of herbs and 589 kinds of flowers apart from endangered wild animals.

Teams from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police are trying to contain the fire, said District Police Office, Parbat.

Police said they were finding it hard to tame the fire due to strong winds and lack of water source in the area.

Rabin Gurung, a local, sustained serious injuries while trying to douse the fire. He was rushed to Pokhara Manipal Hospital for treatment, according to the DPO.

A fire has also broken out at the Hampal base famous as Mt Kalanzar in the northern part of the district. The fire has spread to the area to the north of Kyang VDC – 9, said Narsingh Pun, a local of the area.

A fire in Bhangara VDC has come under control, police said. This year alone fire incidents were reported in more than 50 places in Parbat, said chairman of Federation of Community Forest Consumers Kishor Sapkota.