SATV 14 April, Kathmandu: Wildfires have destroyed nearly 100 hectares of forest in Myagdi district this year, according to the Division Forest Office.

Of the total damage, 99 hectares of forest area across 28 community forests were affected. Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality saw the highest impact, with fires reported in nine community forests, said Forest Officer Binay Bahadur Adhikari.

Additionally, four community forests in Malika, four in Raghuganga, six in Annapurna, three in Beni Municipality, and two in Mangala Rural Municipality also caught fire.

“Compared to previous years, the number of wildfires has decreased,” said Adhikari, attributing the recent rainfall on Friday and Saturday for helping extinguish the flames. He noted that reckless use of fire, illegal hunting, and intentional burning to promote grass growth were primary causes.

Adhikari reported that Myagdi has a total forest coverage of 229,706 hectares, with 36.76 percent categorized as forest area, 1.85 percent as shrubland, and 21.27 percent as grazing land. The district is home to 310 community forest user groups.

Efforts to control wildfires include community-based forest management programs, creation of fire control networks, fire line construction, and the provision of necessary equipment to security forces, said Division Forest Officer Bishnu Adhikari.