Bardiya, April 27:

Fire has been raging in Bardiya National Park and National and Community forest in Banke district since the past two weeks and is yet to be brought under control. Rather, it is spreading rapidly.

The fire has engulfed Babai valley, banks of Karnali River, Hattisar and many other places in the national park. The fire has destroyed the young saplings of trees as well as the valuable Sal, Sisau and Khayar trees.

Dipendra Woli, whose house is near the national park, said the fire has almost covered the entire forest.

“The fire is killing the wild animals and destroying vegetation,” Woli said.

“Apart from endangering the life of animals, the fire has polluted the environment. The government should do its best to control the fire,” chief of Nepal Nature Conservation Fund, run under Bardiya National Park, Naresh Subedi, said.

National park’s warden Ramesh Thapa said there was no way to douse the fire. “Last year, budget was allocated to douse the fire but this year no budget has been fixed,” he said.

The fire has also engulfed national and community forests of Banke district.

Section officer of Banke chapter of district forest office, Amar Khatri, said, “He can’t think of a way to bring the fire under control.”