KATHMANDU, Jan 30: A forest fire that began two days ago in Naso Rural Municipality of Manang district is yet to come under control. Multiple efforts made to douse the fire have failed so far.
"We have used all resources available in the district but to no avail," said Hupajung Gurung, a ward chairperson in the municipality. The fire is now poised to enter the human settlements in Tachai.
Strong winds are making the fire control work further difficult as the villages have been engulfed in smoke due to the raging forest fire.
Forest fire continues in Manang
Chairperson of Tachai Conservation Area Management Committee Yaad Ghale said efforts are being made to bring the fire under control. However, local residents accused the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) authorities of turning a blind eye to the incident.
The fire has reportedly gutted 2,000 hectare of jungle in the ACAP area as of Saturday morning.
Some locals also blamed the local administration for its inactiveness. However, Chief District Officer of Manang Bishnu Adhikari said the local security agencies are working day and night to stop the fire from entering human settlements.
Since the forest fire has been reported in different parts of the district it has been difficult to mobilize limited resources available to all these areas, he said.
(With inputs from RSS)
