KHOTANG: Khotang, Ainselukharka-based Khare Apjase Community Forest has banned grazing in its area. The decision was taken by the concerned committee for the protection of herbs and other small plants in the forest. “As over-grazing has caused soil erosion and many other problems, and destroyed small plants and herbs, we took this decision,” said the community forest users’ committee chairman Uddhav Bahadur Tiwari. As per the newly set rule, anyone defying the ban will be fined up to Rs 500 for the first time, 1,000 for the second time and 1,500 rupees for the third time.