Human Activity Fuels Rise in Forest Fires in Tanahun, Prompting Rapid Response Team Formation

Tanahun. The tendency for people to deliberately set fires in community forests is increasing. Manoj Ranabhat, Chief of the Division Forest Office, Tanahun, informed that over 90 percent of forest fires in community forests are man-made.

Ranabhat stated that 64 percent of these fires are intentionally set by people. He noted that controlling these deliberately set fires is the main challenge right now. He said, "The possibility of fire starting naturally in community forests is very low; people set fires believing new grass will sprout. We have not been able to stop this completely."