Tourism and biodiversity at risk as raging wildfires devastate forests in Nepal

An alarming rise in the number of forest fires has been devastating Nepal's forests and releasing massive amounts of carbon that threaten both biodiversity and the economy, according to a new research which warns that the worst is yet to come.

In February, wildfires ravaged around 82 hectares of forest land in Sindhupalchok, particularly in the upper regions of Jugal and Bhotekoshi rural municipalities. The blazes took days to extinguish. Similarly, a wildfire in Liping forest in ward 2 of Bhotekoshi rural municipality burned down 35 hectares.

In Dolakha, a massive fire scorched hectares of forest land in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. The fire, which started on Jan 28, was brought under control after nine days. Before that, it had spread over 600 hectares, including critical red panda habitats.