MYAGDI: Nearly 100 hectares of forest have been destroyed by fire in the district this year. The Division Forest Office in Myagdi reported that 99 hectares of forest across 28 community forests have been affected by the blazes.

Binay Bahadur Adhikari, a forest officer at the office, stated that the most extensive fire incidents have occurred in nine community forests of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, marking the highest number of fires in the district.

The fires have also affected four community forests in Malika Rural Municipality, two in Mangala Rural Municipality, four in Raghuganga Rural Municipality, six in Annapurna Rural Municipality, and three in Beni Municipality.

Adhikari noted that, compared to previous years, the number of forest fires has been lower this year. He attributed the recent rainfall on Friday and Saturday as a significant factor in helping to extinguish the fires.

The fires are primarily caused by the negligence of pastoralists who set fire to the forests, believing that burning the dry grass will promote new growth. Another cause is the fires lit by poachers to drive away wild animals.

The district’s total forest area covers 229,706 hectares.