Forest Fire Management Week Begins Across Nepal

Kathmandu, March 15: The Forest Fire Management Week has started across Nepal from today with the theme “Effectiveness in Forest Fire Control: Participation of All Three Levels of Government and Community.”

The week-long campaign is being organised by the Ministry of Forest and Environment from Chaitra 1 to 7 every year in accordance with the Forest Fire Management Strategy, 2067 BS. The initiative aims to raise public awareness and strengthen efforts to prevent and control forest fires.

On the occasion, Madhav Prasad Chaulagain stressed the importance of public awareness in reducing the incidence of forest fires. He called on all Division Forest Offices, community forest user groups, development and conservation partners, and other stakeholders to organise awareness and preventive activities in their respective areas during the week.

According to the ministry, various programs will be conducted nationwide, including community and school-level orientations, awareness campaigns, information dissemination through local media, monitoring of high-risk forest areas, construction of fire lines, sanitation activities, and other fire management initiatives.

Meanwhile, Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan said the risk of forest fires is particularly high in Sudurpashchim Province, Bagmati Province, and Karnali Province. He added that forest areas in the Tarai-Chure belt and mid-hill regions face a higher likelihood of wildfires.

Authorities say the danger of forest fires generally increases during the dry season in Nepal, especially between the lunar months of Falgun and Jestha.