This is with reference to the news story “Wildfire incidents on rise as summer begins” (THT, March 27, Page 4). Reports from across the country say that more forest areas are on fire this year compared to last year. As many as 424 incidents of wildfire were detected in the year 2015 by MODIS (an imaging satellite), most of them in the Churia range. Human activities are to blame for the wildfires that not only destroys forest areas but also the wildlife.

It has been found that about 30 percent wildfire is caused by anthropogenic factors in Nepal and negligent amount of wildfire can be natural such as pine forest. The wildfire severely damages and prohibit regeneration and growth of seedlings, destroys non wood forest products, increases natural disaster and invasive species, affects soil structure, young immobile animal species, including nesting sites of birds with carbon emission.

A fire detection and monitoring system has been developed that sends notification on wildfire. However this system is least known to the authorities concerned. If this system is available even to the general public through mobile apps or other means of communications the locals can come forward to douse the wildfire around their locality.

Community based fire management program and forest management strategy 2010 is being implemented by the government, and it aims at strengthening plan and policy for wildfire prevention through integrated approach for enabling environment for resource support to solve the problem arising from wildfire and its impact on the environment. The policy needs to be strengthened.

Diwakar Sapkota, Via e-mail

Inhumane

Apropos of the news story “Amnesty International paints a bleak picture of Nepalis in Qatar” (THT, April 1, Page 1). It is very sad news that Nepalese workers are deprived of basic human rights in foreign lands. As Nepal government has not been able to provide proper job opportunities to all,  they are leaving the country only to suffer a lot not imagined before. At this critical stage the Nepal government must use its diplomatic channel to stop such inhumane treatment to the Nepali workers in Qatar.

We have heard that even the dead bodies are also dispatched back home very late causing much distress to the deceased family members and relatives. This is an ugly side of the foreign employment. I, therefore, request the Nepal government to make sincere efforts to ensure that all the working Nepali labourers are provided with basis amenities as per the agreement and that their salaries are paid on time. If they want to come back home they should be allowed to do so as it is their right to quit the job if they find it very hard to continue. It is the international community which should raise this issue constantly with the host country which is hosting the World Cup in 2022.

Susmita Humagain, Kavre