Wildfires destroy 5, 000 hectares of forest in Banke

Wildfires have destroyed around 5, 000 hectares of forest in Banke.  

According to the District Forest Office, Banke, a total of 76 community forests and one Chakla Forest have been affected by the fires. There are around 100 community forests in Banke.

Birendra Rokka, Assistant Forest Officer and Information Officer of the District Forest Office, said that the forest fires have been brought under control in most of the forests with the help of eight fire engines.

To control the fires, 30 km of fire lines have been constructed in Chakla forest and 20 km in various community forests. The fires are reported to have started due to the long dry season without rainfall and also by the carelessness of people.

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

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

A 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 around Rs 17.7 million was destroyed in the incidents that have occurred in Narainapur, Raptisonari, Janaki and Nepalgunj.