Forest Fire in Taplejung Moves into Villages, Govt yet Unaware
Forest Fire in Taplejung Moves into Villages, Govt yet Unaware
5 March 2006
published by www.newslinenepal.com
Taplejung, Nepal — Deumaya Sunuwar of Taplejung has lost her sleep since the past four days, not that she is an insomniac but because she is forced to put wet blankets on the roof of her residence all night through. All because the nearby jungle has caught fire and is imposingly threatening to sweep the whole village.
Deumaya, along with her husband, has got both of her small kids to help her do the job. She has continuously devoted herself to the task, like all of the other villagers.
In this way, the 35 families of Lyangwa Village of Dokhu VDC have been living under constant fear, as the fire of the Duseni Jungle keeps moving towards the village. Nangkhalyang, another village near the Duseni Jungle, has already caught fire.
Villagers say the state is still unaware of this natural calamity. They say, Fortunately, though, no human life has been lost as yet. But if the fire is not contained in time, the loss could be more than anyone can imagine. We are waiting for rescue efforts from the government if not to control the ever-spreading fire, the desperate villagers said.
The Duseni Jungle Consumers Committee member Ram Hari Khatiwada informed journalists about the fire in the jungle known for its great bio-diversity including valuable medicinal herbs. Along with it, the forest also provides firewood for the 35 families of Lyangwa Village. Khatiwada said.
