Kathmandu: Nepal has witnessed a staggering surge in forest fires, with more than 5,000 incidents reported over a span of approximately ten months, according to data released by the Department of Forest and Land Conservation.

The statistics reveal a concerning trend, with the first month of the Lunar calendar, Baisakh, alone witnessing 3,270 fire incidents. Interestingly, there were no reported incidents in Saun, and minimal occurrences in Bhadau, Asoj, and Kartik, followed by a notable uptick in Mangsir and Poush. The numbers further escalated in Magh and Falgun, indicating a significant challenge in managing forest fires.

The onset of the dry season exacerbated the situation, with wildfires escalating to 1,424 in Chait and a staggering 3,270 in Baisakh. As of the end of Baisakh, the tally stood at 5,130 fire incidents, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

Gobinda Shrestha, an officer at the Department, emphasized the lack of resources, preparedness, and training as major obstacles in effectively tackling the rising number of wildfires. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among government agencies and other stakeholders to mitigate the crisis.

Commenting on the situation, wildfire expert Sundar Sharma noted that Nepal typically witnesses around 2,500 fire incidents annually. However, this recent surge, particularly during the four-month period from mid-Falgun to mid-Jetha, underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent and manage forest fires effectively.