DADELDHURA: Khahare gorges in Dadeldhura have been increasing every year due to rampant tree felling in the Chure area of inner Madhes. Kailash Kumar Pandey of Aalital VDC said that rampant deforestation and use of dozers for road construction in the Chure belt had led to a rise in the number of dry gorges. He said that the 30-kilometre road section between Parsuram Municipality and Aalital VDC had 33 gorges last year, but the number has increased to 44 this year. Locals fear that all the road sections connecting inner Madhes will turn into dry gorges if the situation persists. District Forest Office Dadeldhura has been organising various programmes for Chure conservation. These attempts, however, have been ineffective. Acting District Forest Officer Laxmi Awasthi said their programmes of tree plantation, arrangement of forest guards at every community forest and ban on cattle grazing has been ineffective.

Mysterious death

NEPALGUNJ: A youth, approximately in his early thirties, died under mysterious circumstance while he was in the custody of Ward Police Office, Nepalgunj, on Sunday night. Identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained. He had acted strange at some shops before getting arrested. He hadmanhandled the police as well. Within 10 days of his arrest, he was rushed to Nepalgunj Medical College for treatment after he felt uncomfortable. He had died at the hospital. Reason behind his death would be known after the post-mortem, said police.