Wildfires rage across Banke's forests, threatening wildlife habitats

Nepalgunj. Wildfires have erupted in two chackla forests in Banke, along with various community forests. The District Forest Division Office has stated that wildlife habitats are becoming endangered due to the forest fires.

The forest fires, which started about a week ago, have affected approximately four thousand hectares of land, informed Sushil Subedi, Planning Officer at the Divisional Forest Office in the district. According to him, fires have broken out in 12 community forests, including Shamshergunj Mathema Chackla Forest, Bhuvarbhavani Chackla Forest, Jhinjhari Mahila Community Forest, and Rapti Pidit Gulari Community Forest.

He mentioned that efforts to extinguish the fires are ongoing, but the fires burning deep within the forests have not been brought under control. Subedi stated that the lack of manpower and resources has prevented timely control of the fires, leading to the current damage.

According to him, a 14-member wildfire control squad has been formed in the district. The existing 2000-liter capacity tractor can only extinguish fires in areas along the highway, he informed.

Emphasizing the need for fire engines capable of reaching the interior parts of the forest for wildfire control, Planning Officer Subedi noted that the increasing drought has further fueled fires in the inner regions. "If it doesn't rain in the next few days, there is a risk of forest fires escalating further," he said.

Planning Officer Subedi of the Forest Office informed that the district has a forest area of 50,000 hectares. He mentioned that awareness programs are being conducted to control forest fires, and stated that fires have been started in the forests due to some misguided individuals and actions.

Meanwhile, three people have been arrested for allegedly killing and consuming a spotted deer that fell into the Sikta canal. Planning Officer Subedi of the Forest Office informed that the arrested individuals are being held in the custody of the Forest Office for investigation. According to him, their names and identities have been kept confidential as the investigation is ongoing.

Similarly, locals rescued four spotted deer trapped in the canal today. Due to the increasing drought, the spotted deer, which had come to drink water in the canal, got trapped while drinking. The consumers of Harlaphanta Community Forest rescued these spotted deer and handed them over to the office, the Banke Divisional Forest Office stated.