20140518 Nepal Wildfire blazing out of control in Bajura
Nepal May 18 2014 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Wildfire blazing out of control in Bajura
Updated: 2014-05-19-22:56
BAJURA: A forest fire has been raging at Nuwakot Community Forest in Jugada VDC from Sunday morning.
The blaze is yet to be brought under control, said Jagatraj Pandit, a local.
The blaze has destroyed medicinal herbs and trees.
Gopal Karki, another local, said some of the domestic animals, which were grazing in the forest, were also killed. It is said the effort of locals to bring the fire under control has gone in vain because it had spread from the pine trees in the forest.
With the onset of dry season, wildfires have increased in community forests of Bajura, destroying VDC-based forests in Jugada, Budhiganga, Kolti, Martadi and Badhu of the district.
Acting chief Ram Autar Chaudhary of district forest office said his office has been launching awareness programmes. “But the problems cannot be solved due to the negligence of villagers,” he added.
Forests cover 48 per cent of the district. Community forest area covers 15, 809 hectare and the total land of Bajura district is 22,176 hectare. There are 265 community forests in Bajura.
Websource:The Himalayan times
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