A fire in Mongar destroyed more than 200 acres of forest at Konbar and Takchu villages yesterday.

The fire started at around 12pm.

Since the fire is occurring on cliffs and steep slopes, the forest officials, police, civil servants and locals could not contain the fire. Strong winds also fanned the fire.

Firefighters, however, managed to save two traditional houses and Takchu Lhakhang.

According to the chief officiating forest officer, Norbu Wangdi, two tankers from RBP and Kurichu Hydro Power helped to save areas at risk. Forest officials said the fire started from a stream below Wengkhar village.

Norbu Wangdi said people claim the fire started from boulders rolling off an excavator from a waste disposal construction site.

He, however, said they are yet to establish the exact cause and an investigation is underway.

Staff reporter

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