Wildfires destroy 2,000 hectares of forest in less than two months

Two thousand hectares of community forest area has been damaged by wildfire in Gulmi.

Incidences of forest fire were recorded at 89 locations in the district in less than two months.

Division Forest Office's information officer Muna Sharma said the fire massively destroyed vegetation including baby plants and herbs, killing some wildlife and causing many to leave their habitats.

Big plants have also been partially damaged.

Resunga and Musikot municipalities are largely affected by the fire as it damaged 709 hectares of community forest.

Two killed by the fire

The fire caused human casualties as well. The victims are Deepak Mukhiya, 13, and Dhan Bahadur Jogi Kunwar, 53 of Hadhade of Dhurkot rural municipality-3. They caught the fire during their failed attempts to put out the fire.

One has been arrested for alleged involvement in causing the wildfire, it is said.