Manang, February 9
The wildfire that started in the Timang forest of Chame Rural Municipality-1 on January 31 remains uncontrolled even after 10 days.
The District Administration Office stated that difficult terrain has hindered firefighting efforts. Chief District Officer (CDO) Matrika Acharya said all security agencies and locals have been mobilised, but the fire remains active.
“Grazing areas for sheep, goats, yaks, and cattle have been destroyed. The fire is in a remote, windy location, raising the risk of further spread,” CDO Acharya said. The blaze has also destroyed the habitat of the national bird, the lophophorous, and young rhododendron plants.
Despite continuous efforts, security personnel and locals are struggling to contain the fire due to its location on an inaccessible cliff. However, authorities have assured that human settlements are not at immediate risk.
Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Area Office, attributed the fire’s persistence to excessive dryness, as the region has seen little snowfall this winter.
Efforts are ongoing to prevent the fire from spreading further.
