Fire in 47 community forests of Myagdi: Damage to 1,200 hectares of forest area

MYAGDI: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 – As many as 1,200 hectares of forest area has been damaged due to fires in 47 community forests at six local levels in the Himalayan district of Myagdi since the onset of spring this year. The forest fires have burned hundreds of trees, large and small, and destroyed valuable herbs, wildlife, and other forest products.

With the onset of strong winds in Myagdi, fires have been taking place in Beni district headquarters and other places on a daily basis. Figures from the Division Forest Office show that 10 to 150 hectares of community forests were damaged by the fire.

Just a few days ago, 65 hectares of forest in Goswara Community Forest of Beni Municipality-2 Jyamrukkot was destroyed by fire. The Division Forest Office mobilized 43 security personnel to control the fire in the community forest. Locals and security personnel worked for two days but could not put out the fire. Ratnabam Malla of Goswara said that valuable herbs, wild animals and forest products were destroyed in the fire.

Similarly, the fire at Dharapani Community Forest in Dhawalagiri Gaunpalika-7 of West Myagdi has damaged about 60 hectares of forest, according to the Division Forest Office, Myagdi. According to the office, it is difficult to put out the fire due to geographical difficulties and steep forest fires.

Santosh Khanal, acting head of the office, said that fires are usually started in the hills and forests in Myagdi in search of green grass, even though fires are more common in dry and hot weather.