Fire: A forest fire below Chimi Lhakhang in Lobesa that started at around 1:30pm yesterday has destroyed around seven hectares of forest, according to forest officials in Punakha.

“We suspect the fire to have started from burning of debris at a private registered land behind Chimi Lhakhang,” said forest sources. However, it is yet to be confirmed.

Forest officials said their priority was to save the lhakhang and was made possible by  desuups, forest officials, Punakha dzongkhag officials and police along with Punatsangchhu people who immediately came to help.

The fire behind the lhakhang has also affected the bamboo plantations along the Punatsangchhu below Chimi Lhakhang that was planted by Punatsangchhu and forest officials last year.