National Briefs

Parasi bird flu spreads

PARASI: Avian influenza has surfaced in Kawasoti after it hit the Jhyalbas area of Deurali VDC-6 in the district. According to the disease prevention communication officer, Shivanath Mahato, the flu has been confirmed in the Taruwa area. He said a team has been sent to the area to cull birds. The culling of birds that started three days ago in the Jhyalbas area is still on. Mahato said 2,500 chickens, 1,500 ducks and 100 pigeons have been culled in the area till date. He added that Rs 2.2 million has been provided to poultry farmers as compensation. According to the District Livestock Office, it will take another two days to cull all the birds in the Jhyalbas area alone.

Peace undeterred

Taplejung: Central secretary and eastern region Bureau in-charge of the Unified CPN-Maoist CP Gajurel on Monday said that the peace process would not be in peril due to the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala. At a time when the Nepali people are suspecting that the peace process might be in threat after the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala, Gajurel said that his party would work to provide a logical conclusion to the peace process and erase the delusion prevail among the people. Gajurel, who arrived here to inaugurate the first district convention of the YCL, the youth wing of the party, warned that his party would declare a new constitution from outside the CA if the statute is not drafted within the stipulated time.

Fire destroys forest

ITAHARI: The fire that broke out at the Bayarban community forest in Barahkshetra VDC, Sunsari, on Tuesday night destroyed trees and plantations spread over two hectares of land. According to Himal Rai, a local media person, the entire forest is under threat as the local authorities have been ignoring the spreading fire. The locals have demanded immediate control of the fire.

Wildfire rages on

GAIGHAT: The wildfire that had started three days ago at the Bageswori Community Forest in Bhantabari-12, Udaypur, has not come under control. According to forest ranger Satya Narayan Shah, they have been trying their best to douse the flames in collaboration with forest staffers and locals, however, they have failed to put out the fire as it has been spreading swiftly. The fire has destroyed a loader worth Rs 20 million belonging to Udaypur Cement Industry.