Two years after the fire that left one child dead and affected 461 families, the horrific incident still haunts Yadav every now and then.
"March is about to end and the mercury is climbing insanely like every day. I hear forest fires have already started in many districts. Hope this year we won't have to remain helpless again," said Yadav.
The fears voiced byYadav are hardly out of place as wild fires have already broken out in Nepal, mostly in the eastern hills. According to a report based on the MODIS satellite of the American space agency NASA, 17 forest fires have been detected in Bhojpur, Chitwan, Sankhuwabasa, Terathum, Sunsari and Udayapur districts.
"With the pre-monsoon season already upon us, incidents of forest fire will increase gradually. I believe the fires will peak in another week and the destruction they bring will be unavoidable," said Sundar Sharma, coordinator of Regional South Asia Wildland Fire Network, a component of the UN-ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction).
"Forest fire is a huge threat to Nepal. At least 43 lives are claimed every year as well as property loss worth some Rs 350 million," he added.
Between 2005 and 2014, forest fires claimed 88 lives and injured 74 others, according to UN-ISDR's South Asia Network. In the same period, 595 houses and 67 sheds were gutted.
In the history of forest fires in Nepal, 2009 is still remembered as the worst year. In the course of extinguishing a massive fire at a community forest in Ramechhap in April that year, 13 Nepal Army (NA) personnel lost their lives. They had been mobilized to prevent the fire from spreading towards Ramechhap District Hospital. Howling winds fanned the fire, leaving them no space to flee.
Entire bio-diversity affected
The impact of forest fires in not limited to humans and to property loss. Perishing of wild animals and destruction of biodiversity, medical herbs and forestry products worth millions are equally serious. From 2005 to 2014, forest fires affected 268,361 hectares and 573 animals perished.
However, thanks to the elongated impact of both a western disturbance and local climatic conditions, the intermittent rainfall this year has come as a huge support in the fight against forest fires that would have already worsened by now.
"We should not forget that fires not only affect humans but the entire ecology that takes decades to nourish. Animals, birds and every single plant and insect that plays a vital role in conserving nature are destroyed in a minute," said Sharma.
"This is a grave situation we are living in. Despite the annual destruction inflicted by forest fires and the knowledge that fire incidents will occur, the government seems least bothered to cope with the situation," he complained.
In this connection, Director General at the Department of Forests (DoF), Rajan Pokharel, conceded the problem and assured regular measures across the country to prevent forest fires.
However, Pokharel expressed disappointment over the insufficient annual budget allocated for fighting forest fires. "We have left no stone unturned in educating locals about safety measures and preventing forest fires but the budget we get annually is hardly enough to cover the activities we prepare," he said.
He also derided the reckless human activities that have not changed despite regular instructions.
"Forest fires can be controlled if people mind their habits. The situation will improve if locals develop the attitude that improper disposing of cigarette butts in forest areas and abandoning partially burning fires can create havoc in minutes," said Pokharel.
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