A massive wildfire which started on Thursday night in a conserved forest area in the renowned tourist and religious destination of Panchase is still not coming under control.
The forest area, which is known as the confluence of Parbat, Kaski and Syangja districts, is home to diverse floras and faunas. The fire is threatening the endangered species of birds, animals and herbs.
The bushfire which has spread at an expanse of 5,500 hectares of forest area threatens 12 kinds of rare trees, 10 kinds of medicinal herbs, 113 kinds of Sungabha flower, eight types of herbs and 589 kinds of flowers to go with the diverse wildlife.
Teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police are making relentless attempts to contain the fire, District Police Office (DPO), Parbat said.
Lack of nearby water source and the dry season is making it harder to tame the fire, police said.
A local, Rabin Gurung, sustained serious injuries while trying to douse the fire. He was rushed to Pokhara Manipal Hospital on Friday and underwent a surgery, according to the DPO.
A fire has also broken out at the Hampal base famous as Mt Kalanzar at the northern tip of the district. The fire has spread at a large area to the north from Kyang VDC – 9, said Narsingh Pun, a local of the area.
Meanwhile, a fire in Bhangara VDC has come under control, police said. This year alone fire incidents were reported at more than 50 places in Parbat, but the administration is yet to find out the causes, Federation of Community Forest Consumers Chairman, Kishor Sapkota said. RSS
