Taplejung, January 25
Taplejung district is witnessing a surge in incidents of fire this winter. On Monday, a fire erupted at Deurali community forest in the Pathibhara region. Pasang Rita Sherpa, secretary of the community forest, said the fire has destroyed huge swathes of rhododendron forest. He said local communities and security personnel have mobilised in a bid to put out the flames, together with forest guards from the district forest office. Locals said they have started drawing a fire line to control the fire that has spread in huge swathes.
The fire started at 3 pm on Monday. It’s unclear as to what caused the blaze.
The forest is home to rare rhododendron species and red panda.
Unlike in other years, fires have started quite early this year due to a prlonged drought, the forest office said.
Meanwhile in Nalbu of Taplejung district, a house belonging to Sumba Sherpa caught fire on Monday afternoon, causing losses worth around four lakh rupees, police informed. A team from Thukimba police post put out the flames with help from locals.
