Human Activity Fuels Rise in Forest Fires in Tanahun, Prompting Rapid Response Team Formation

Tanahun. The tendency for people to deliberately set fires in community forests is increasing. Manoj Ranabhat, Chief of the Division Forest Office, Tanahun, informed that over 90 percent of forest fires in community forests are man-made.

Ranabhat stated that 64 percent of these fires are intentionally set by people. He noted that controlling these deliberately set fires is the main challenge right now. He said, "The possibility of fire starting naturally in community forests is very low; people set fires believing new grass will sprout. We have not been able to stop this completely."

According to Ranabhat, fires are caused by setting fire for grazing in 30 percent of cases, by cigarette butts in 15 percent, by hunters in seven percent, by those having picnics and campfires in seven percent, by children playing in some cases, by illegal loggers in five percent, by encroachers in five percent, by slash-and-burn agriculture in five percent, by those burning cow dung cakes in four percent, and the rest by medicinal herb collectors.

In the fiscal year 2080/81, forest fires affected an area of 1,322 hectares across 71 community forests. Similarly, in the fiscal year 2081/82, fires occurred in 662 hectares across 84 community forests, Ranabhat informed. He attributed the problems in controlling forest fires to a shortage of skilled manpower, lack of modern equipment, and budget constraints.

He said, "We have not been able to apprehend and take action against those who set fires in the forests; it is difficult to identify them as they set fires secretly." He added that there are 625 community forests across the district.

Awareness programs are being conducted for community forest users regarding fire control. Forest Officer Rajkumar Shrestha informed that awareness programs are being conducted through the Division Forest Office and eight sub-division offices. According to him, forest fires increase the temperature by at least ten percent.

Forest Officer Shrestha explained the risks: tree seeds falling on the ground are burned and cannot germinate; if young forests catch fire, trees develop hollows; forest fires degrade biodiversity; wildlife habitats are destroyed, hindering their conservation and development; and there is a risk of loss of life and property in nearby villages if the fire spreads. He stated that fires are increasing due to the careless disposal of bidis and cigarettes during the hot season, and setting fires to drive away wildlife or encourage new grass growth.

Rapid Response Team Formed in Tanahun to Control Forest Fires

A multi-stakeholder Rapid Response Team (RRT) has been formed in Tanahun to make forest fire control effective and swift. Initiated by the Division Forest Office Tanahun, the team includes representatives from the Forest Department, Administration, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepali Army, and the Federation of Community Forest Users' Groups.

The members of the committee, formed under the coordination of Forest Officer Shrestha, include Gopal Pokharel, an employee from the District Administration Office; Police Inspector Shiva Pathak from the District Police Office; Armed Police Force Inspector Ramsaran Bista; Investigation Officer Revan Pokharel; Lieutenant Colonel Pokhrendra Rana from Kalibhanjan Battalion (E); and Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, Chairman of the Federation of Community Forest Users' Groups Tanahun.

With the formation of the team, the goal is to intensify control, rescue, and coordination efforts by reaching the incident site immediately upon the outbreak of a forest fire. Coordinator Shrestha stated that this team was formed as a precautionary measure, as the risk of forest fires increases during the dry season.

Shrestha emphasized that delays in controlling forest fires lead to significant damage, necessitating an immediate response mechanism. He said, "Time is the most crucial factor in fire control. Therefore, the response team has been formed to be mobilized quickly through coordination among various agencies."

He informed that programs for awareness building, monitoring, and preparedness will be advanced in collaboration with local levels, community forest user groups, and the general public. "Since most fires are caused by human negligence, public awareness is extremely necessary," he said.

It is expected that effective achievements in reducing forest fires will be realized through the joint efforts of the concerned agencies. Furthermore, Chief of the Division Forest Office Ranabhat informed that the team aims to identify high-risk areas, conduct regular monitoring, and mobilize immediately in emergencies to minimize damage.