Five thousand hectares of forest under fire in Banke

KATHMANDU: An area of 5,133 hectares of various community forests and Chakla forest in Banke is currently under fire.

According to the District Forest Office, Banke, a total of 76 community forests and one Chakla Forest have been affected by fire.

There are around 100 community forests in Banke.

Birendra Rokka, Assistant Forest Officer and Information Officer of the District Forest Office, said that the fire has been brought under control in most of the forests with the help of fire fighting vehicles supported by eight fire fighters.

To control the fire, 30 km of fire lines have been constructed in Chakla forest and 20 km in various community forests.

The fire is reported to have started due to the long dry season without rainfall and also by the carelessness of people.

Due to the fire, rabbits, snakes, different species of birds have died.

Meanwhile, 105 incidents of fire have occurred in various local levels of Banke.

One person has died and six others were injured in the incidents, said Assistant Chief District Officer Jorasingh Majhi.

A total of 104 cattle heads have perished in the fire incidents.

Property worth Rs 17.7 million was damaged in the fire incidents, that have occurred in Narainapur, Raptisonari, Janaki and Nepalgunj.