Manang wildfire not brought under control even after 10 days

MANANG: The fire that broke out in Timang forest of Chame Rural Municipality-1 in the district has not been brought under control even after10 days.

The forest fire had started in the evening of January 31. The District Administration Office said they have not been able to douse the fire due to the difficult topography of the area.

Chief District Officer Matrika Acharya said all the security agencies in the district have been mobilized to contain the wildfire.

“All the security agencies of the district have been mobilized to control the fire. Locals are also actively engaged in this task. However, we have not be able to bring the fire under control yet,” CDO Acharya said.

He said that the grazing areas of sheep, goats, yaks and cattle in the forest have been destroyed as the fire could not be brought under control in time.

“The fire has started in a difficult location far away from the settlement. There is also the risk of spread of forest fire as the place is also windy,” CDO Acharya said, adding that the inferno has so far destroyed the habitat of the national bird, the lophophorous, and the young rhododendron plants in the forest.

According to him, the security personnel and locals are trying their best to contain the fire wherever possible.