BAGLUNG, May 24: Wildfires have destroyed a total of 2,174 hectares of forest in Baglung over the past two months. The Division Forest Office, Baglung, reported that the fire, which started in the Salleri Community Forest on February 23, spread to 68 forests by May 1.
Saroj Panthi, an officer at the Division Forest Office, Baglung, stated that 66 community forests and two national forests were affected by wildfires. The wildfires caused significant damage to both national and community forests, with a visible impact on 2,174 hectares. The indirect effects on wildlife and the environment are substantial, Panthi said.
Bushfires destroy around 450 hectares of forest area in Baglung
The fires have also resulted in human casualties and property damage. One person died and two others were injured in a wildfire at Rani Ban Community Forest in Tamankhola Rural Municipality on April 25. In Aamalachaur Community Forest, Baglung Municipality-12, a fire on May 1 destroyed one house, three barns, and killed two buffaloes, three cows, and five goats. Additionally, fires in the National Community Forest in Tarakhola Rural Municipality-1 destroyed three houses and five barns, killing six goats and two buffaloes.
The wildfires have affected about 150,900 hectares of land in Baglung, which includes 527 community forests covering 33,909 hectares.
