Nine districts at high risk of forest fires

Kathmandu. Nine districts across the country are at high risk of forest fire, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

As per the data of the previous year, forests in Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Parsa, Salyan and Surkhet districts are at high risk of bushfires. Likewise, Achham, Arghakhanchi, Bara, Dadeldhura, Doti, Gorkha, Jajarkot, Kapilvastu, Makwanpur, Nawalpur, Pyuthan, Sindhuli and Udayapur are at moderate risk of flooding.

The NRA has prepared an action plan to make forecasting, monitoring and early warning system effective to reduce the risk of forest fires. Likewise, preparedness, forest management and coordination among the stakeholders have been prioritized.

The NRA has stated that the goal is to make the efforts to control the wildfires result-oriented by collaborating with the responsible agencies at federal, provincial and local levels. The main objective of the action plan is to minimize the loss of life and property due to forest fires.

The action plan also includes strategies to increase public awareness about the risk of bushfires, management of forest areas and forest fuels, weather forecasting and strengthening early warning system.

According to the NRA, the monitoring and early warning system would be made effective in the risk-prone areas through the use of technology and human resource mobilization, coordination and communication among the stakeholders would be increased and the fire control works would be strengthened through awareness campaigns, training and exercises.

Similarly, a strategy has been prepared to make the rescue, treatment, relief and rehabilitation of the communities affected by forest fires effective, as well as to strengthen data management, study and research.