Damauli, April 8

Incidents of wildfire have increased in various community forests dried up by the prolonged drought in Tanahun.

Over half a dozen forests in Bandipur, Abukhaireni, Ghasikuwa, Barbhanjyang, Kashunshivapur, Dharampani, Satiwara VDCs, and Bhanu and Byas municipalities were destroyed in recent wildfires.

According to District Forest Officer Ambika Poudel, most of the wildfires were caused due to people’s carelessness. The fires that are triggered largely by the carelessness of locals and pedestrians walking through or near the forests have raised concern among the authorities.

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In Bhanu and Bandipur municipalities, the local community forest users’ committees have fined more than seven culprits for causing forest fires so far. Community forest committees slap a fine of up to Rs 1,000 on anyone found guilty of causing wildfires.

In Byas municipality, Akala Community Forest of Galbubeshi has formed a separate sub-committee to control wildfires. “As everyone of us are concerned about such incidents, we are doing the needful,” said chairperson of the community forest, Rajeshor Hankhale. He informed that the District Forest Office and Federation of Community Forest Users were distributing tools used to control wildfires to over a dozen community forests.

On his part, Assistant Forest Officer Govinda Pande said an awareness programme has been launched by the DFO to control forest fires. He also expressed hope that the drive will be helpful in mitigating such incidents.

“”A week-long wildfire control training was organised in the first week of March as part of our campaign. We have declared Jamune and Ramjakot wildfire free zones and are working to make the people aware about the damage caused by wildfires,” he said. The district has 587 community forests.