A wildfire that started in the Timang forest of Chame Rural Municipality-1, Manang, has been burning for 10 days, with efforts to contain it hampered by the region’s complex terrain.

Chief District Officer Matrika Acharya stated that despite the mobilization of all security forces and active participation of locals, the fire remains uncontrolled. The flames have already destroyed grazing areas for sheep and yaks, and the risk of further spread is increasing due to strong winds.

The fire, far from settlements, has also damaged the habitat of Nepal’s national bird, the Daphne, as well as budding rhododendrons. Security personnel and locals are attempting to douse the flames where accessible, but the difficult slopes pose a challenge.

Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, attributed the fire to an unusually dry season and lack of snow. He warned that prolonged fires in national forests force wildlife to migrate, threatening the survival of endangered species. Additionally, valuable medicinal herbs such as pinewood, dhupi (cypress), jatamansi (musk root), panchaule (dactylorhiza hatagirea), and mushrooms are at risk of destruction.

Bhujel also noted that dry leaves and insects in the forest are fueling the fire, making containment efforts difficult. If not controlled soon, the fire could spread further.

Several wildfires have broken out in the region since mid-November.

A similar fire in the area on November 17, 2020, took two months to be fully extinguished, and destroyed 1,200 hectares of forest in Manang.

Locals have urged all three levels of government to take immediate action to control the fire in Timang forest before more damage occurs. -- RSS