Forests in flames

Dealing with the crisis calls for a multi-level approach, starting with ethical and sensible handling of forests.

Four people succumbed to burn injuries when a forest fire broke out last week in Bhumikasthan Municipality-2 in Arghakhanchi of western Nepal. One more was seriously injured. The accident reportedly happened when the locals were trying to douse a fire, a reminder of the utter lack of awareness among citizens across the country about forest fires and techniques to handle them. Not only did good Samaritans turn victims due to their failure to gauge the situation, what is unfortunate, if not shocking, is that the fire was the result of a human error. As usual, the government, through the District National Disaster Management Committee, announced an Rs50,000 relief for the families of the deceased and promised to punish the culprit.