KAVREPALANCHOWK, Jan 28: The wildfire in the southern Kavrepalanchowk area of the Mahabharat mountain range’s community forest was brought under control on Monday. The fire had started last Tuesday afternoon in the Mahabharat forest near Thamlekh Hill in Khanikhola Rural Municipality-1.
Efforts were made to protect settlements after the fire spread to Bethanchowk Rural Municipality. Helicopters extinguished fires at Ramite Danda and Jwanethumka on Friday. The Division Forest Office in Dhulikhel stated that the severe outbreak of fire has now been controlled.
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Officer Chinikaji Shrestha from the Division Forest Office said that the fire was brought under control with the help of a helicopter, along with the active involvement of security personnel and locals. Although the fire was contained after a week, some large tree stumps are still emitting smoke, he added.
It has been reported that approximately 100 hectares of five community forests in Khanikhola and Bethanchowk Rural municipalities suffered significant damage due to the fire. According to Shrestha, the affected forests include Chisapani Community Forest, Muldanda Chorande Community Forest, Janajagriti Community Forest, Bethanchowk Narayansthan Community Forest, and Narayansthan Community Forest.
Meanwhile, the Bethanchowk Narayansthan tourist area, which had been closed to visitors since Wednesday following the fire, has been reopened from today. Rural Municipality Chairperson Bhagwan Adhikari stated that the area has been reopened after the fire was brought under control. However, he noted that access to forest areas in wards 1, 2, 3, and 5, including the Narayansthan temple, had been restricted for both domestic and international tourists due to the risk.
Additionally, it is estimated that the fire has caused damage to the area's tourism resources, as well as to valuable medicinal herbs and wildlife. The Division Forest Office has announced that a survey will be conducted to assess the condition of valuable herbs, significant trees, wildlife, and bird habitats in the affected area.
