Kathmandu: The Forest Fire Management Week has begun across Nepal under the theme “Effectiveness in Forest Fire Control: Participation of All Three Levels of Government and Community.”
The week-long campaign is being observed from Chait 1 to 7 every year under the Forest Fire Management Strategy, 2067 BS, according to the Ministry of Forest and Environment Nepal.
Various programs are being organized during the week to raise public awareness and strengthen efforts to prevent and control forest fires.
In a message on the occasion, Minister for Forest and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain stressed that increasing public awareness is crucial to reducing forest fires. He urged Division Forest Offices, Forest User Groups, development partners, and other stakeholders to conduct awareness activities in their respective areas.
According to the ministry, the week will include community and school-level orientation programs, publicity campaigns, information dissemination through local media, monitoring of high-risk areas, construction of fire lines in forests, and sanitation activities.
Director General of the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation Nepal Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan said the risk of wildfires is particularly high in Sudurpaschim, Bagmati, and Karnali provinces, especially in the Tarai-Chure and mid-hill forest regions.
Forest fire risks generally increase during the dry season from Falgun to Jestha, when forest areas become more vulnerable to wildfires.
(RSS)
