GANDAKI: Gandaki Province is currently grappling with a significant surge in forest fires, with reports indicating incidents at 467 locations across the region.

The Province Forest Directorate reveals that approximately 8,277 hectares of forest area have already been engulfed by the wildfires this season.

Directorate forest officer Tilak Bahadur Thapa warns that the situation may worsen as the prolonged dry season persists, posing a serious threat to the region’s biodiversity and ecosystem.

The forest fires have spread across all ten districts of the province, except for Mustang, inflicting varying degrees of damage.

Nawalpur bears the brunt of the devastation, with approximately 2,553 hectares affected, while Manang reports the lowest impact, spanning just two hectares.

In terms of frequency, Myagdi tops the list with 81 reported cases, followed by one case in Manang.

Nawalpur records the highest number of locations affected, totaling 80, trailed by Parbat with 55 incidents, and Baglung and Syangja with 52 each.

Kaski, Tanahu, and Lamjung also witness significant numbers of forest fire occurrences.

The extent of damage caused by the fires is alarming, with Baglung reporting 1,685 hectares affected, followed by Parbat with 1,416 hectares, and Myagdi with 922 hectares.

Other affected districts include Kaski, Syangja, Gorkha, Tanahu, and Lamjung, with varying degrees of devastation.

Tragically, the forest fires have resulted in casualties within the province.

One individual lost their life while two others sustained injuries while attempting to contain a blaze in a local community forest in Tamankhola, Baglung.

Livestock loss has also been reported in Tarakhola.

Additionally, one injury was reported in Myagadi during a failed attempt to control a forest fire.

The escalating forest fires underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the crisis and protect the region’s invaluable natural resources.