Over 300 people, including personnel of Nepal Police and Nepal Army, and locals were actively involved in dousing the fire. "We are finding it very difficult to douse the fire as we do not have water sources nearby and strong winds are continuously blowing," informed Police Inspector Dan Bahadur Rokaya.Although fire at few places had come under control, it revived on Friday morning. Harka Mahat, chairman of Bheralamandu community forest, claimed that an anonymous group of locals themselves had deliberately reignited the fires.
"The forests contribute a lot to the local economy. However, they are burnt due to short-sightedness of a few people," accused Mahat. Police said they are investigating the case.
Mahat also said that the forest might have been set on fire due to anger and feelings of hatred and revenge among local communities rather than lack of awareness about the benefit of forest. Along with that he added that fire might have been started to drive away wild beasts taking shelter in the community forest.
Although cases of forest fires are in rise with the onset of summer, the District Forest Office has not brought any programs this year to contain them.
The five community forests have about 800 family consumers collectively. Total damage from the forest fire has not been ascertained yet.
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