Nepal's Forest Fire Risk Increasing, Satellite Data Shows Over 13,000 Incidents in 13 Years

Kathmandu. Forest Fire Week is being observed across the country from Chaitra 1 to 7. During this period, the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation published a report on forest fires. The report mentions that the risk of forest fires is increasing based on 'satellite' data from the last 13 years in the country.

According to the department's data, 13,622 forest fire incidents have been recorded nationwide from BS 2070 to 2082. Forest fire has emerged as a serious environmental challenge. According to the report, forest fires in Nepal appear to be seasonal. Approximately 89 percent of the total incidents occur between Falgun and Baisakh. During this period, the risk of forest fires is higher due to prolonged dry spells, low humidity, high temperatures, strong winds, the practice of burning agricultural residue, and increased human activity in forest areas.

It is stated that approximately 57.7 percent of the total incidents occurred in the month of Baisakh. The year BS 2073 has been shown as the most severe forest fire year. A significant number of fire incidents were recorded in BS 2078 and 2081.

According to the analytical report from the department, at least 282 fire incidents have been recorded nationwide from Baisakh 1 to Falgun 29 of BS 2082. According to the report, although forest fires spread across all seven provinces from Baisakh 1 to Falgun 29 last year, the Sudurpashchim Province appeared to be the most affected. Approximately one-third of the country's total incidents, or 33.3 percent of forest fires, occurred in that province. Regionally, Bagmati accounted for 19.1 percent, Karnali for 16.7 percent, Gandaki Province for 9.6 percent, Lumbini Province for 8.9 percent, Koshi Province for 8.2 percent, and Madhesh Province for 4.3 percent of the fire incidents.

During the same period, Kanchanpur became the most affected district on a district-wise basis. Forty-one fire incidents were recorded there. Twenty-seven incidents were seen in Chitwan, 19 in Kailali, and 18 in Surkhet. The Director General of the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan, stated that coordination among federal, provincial, and local level bodies, Community Forest User Groups, security agencies, the private sector, media, and local communities is essential to effectively control the increasing risk of fires.

"Forest fire management is not the responsibility of a single agency; it is a shared responsibility of the entire society," he said. Director General Pradhan emphasized the need for active participation from all sectors in fire prevention, rapid information sharing, timely control, and public awareness enhancement.

Threat to Biodiversity

Forest fire incidents have been increasing in various protected areas of the country recently. According to the department's report, a total of 82 forest fire incidents were registered in protected areas from Baisakh 1 to Falgun 29 last year. The highest number of fire incidents was observed in Chitwan National Park, with 27 incidents recorded there alone. Following that, 24 fire incidents were registered in Shuklaphanta National Park and 12 in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Similarly, there were 6 fire incidents in Bardia National Park, 5 in Annapurna Conservation Area, 3 in Banke National Park, 3 in Manaslu Conservation Area, and 2 in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. Fires reaching protected areas are considered serious from the perspective of biodiversity conservation. It directly affects wildlife habitats, vegetation, and the overall ecosystem.

Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung, Nepal Representative for the World Wildlife Fund, stated that recent forest fires around protected areas could seriously impact wildlife and natural resources. He stressed the need for timely control.

"Priority must be given to measures to minimize human loss during forest fires. Furthermore, there is a need to enhance public awareness for fire control, expand 'fire lines' in forest areas, and increase local-level training and preparedness," Gurung said. "It is extremely important to make communities aware through the conservation of water sources, arrangement of necessary equipment for fire control, and effective dissemination."

It is his view that since fires reaching protected areas can have long-term effects on wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and the ecosystem, concerned agencies must coordinate and manage effectively in a timely manner.

According to the department's data, 36 incidents were recorded in Poush, 35 in Magh, and 50 in Falgun this year. The report shows that nearly over 90 percent of forest fire incidents are concentrated in the months of Baisakh, Poush, Magh, and Falgun.

Terai-Chure and Mid-Hill Regions at High Risk

Spatial analysis shows that the Terai-Chure region and the mid-hill forest areas are the most sensitive regarding forest fires. Fires were found to be most concentrated, especially in the Terai-Chure region of Sudurpashchim, the Chitwan-Makwanpur forest area, the forests surrounding Surkhet, and the Bardia-Banke Terai region. Kamala Oli Siwakoti, a member of the President Chure Terai-Madhesh Conservation Development Committee, stated that accumulated dry fuel in the Chure region, prolonged dry spells, low humidity, and increased human activity are the main reasons for the rise in forest fires.

She said, "We are coordinating with stakeholders and relevant units to conduct training programs so that communities can understand and implement fire prevention measures at the grassroots level." However, she pointed out that the main challenge is the lack of sufficient budget to operate effective forest fire control programs in the Chure region.

Need for Preparedness and Community Role

Since most forest areas in Nepal are under community management, the role of local communities and Forest User Groups is considered crucial in controlling forest fires. Thakur Prasad Bhandari, Chairman of the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), stated that preparedness and extensive awareness are necessary for fire control. According to him, fire control cannot be effective without fuel management in forest areas, development of an early warning system, and active participation of the community.

He informed that campaigns for preparedness and information dissemination at the community level have been launched keeping in mind the potential fire risk as the summer season begins. "Campaigns have been run for prior information and alerts that fires might occur," Bhandari said.

He pointed out that the main problems are the risk of accidents during fire control, lack of adequate public awareness about fire control, and shortage of necessary equipment.

Rakesh Karna, Chairman of the Nepal Forest Technicians Association (NFA), stated that effective forest management is indispensable for controlling forest fires. According to him, fire incidents are low where forest management is practiced, but the problem is becoming more complex in unmanaged areas.

"Where forest management is done, fires are reduced, conservation is better, and employment and income opportunities also increase at the local level," he said. "However, forest management has still not become a priority for the state."