The Division Forest Office Dang has begun a ‘zero forest fire campaign’ to conserve forest capital. The office has placed the campaign to address the big problem of forest fire which usually surfaced with the onset of hot season. In the formative stage of the campaign, identification and mapping of forest fire risks was carried out at Kamirechaur, Sunpur, Ghorahi, Naranpur, Bijauri, Tulsipur, Dangisharan, Purundhara and Hapur Purundhara. The process was attended by forest employees, community forest group members and forest security guards. It was shared that 83 forests were found to be at the higher risks of fire. Chief of Division Forest Office Deepak Gyawali informed that 83 forests are reeling under higher risks, 46 under moderate risks and 44 under low risks of forest fire. He further shared that 92 forest groups among them are active for controlling forest fire. 81 groups are not taking any initiative to check forest fire, according to the study. The office has noted that most of the community forests under Babi rural municipality and Ghorahi sub-metropolis as well as some national forest areas are under the threat of forest fire. The office also said the long-term and short-term strategies would be adopted to make the campaign against forest fire a success. —
