Neten Dorji | Trashigang

A forest fire that began around 2pm Saturday between Pam and Chenari in Trashigang had destroyed more than 1,000 acres of forest in Samkhar and Kanglung.

Firefighters, including forest officials, police, civil servants, dessups and local volunteers continue to battle the blaze.

More than 1,000 acres of forest had destroyed in the fire

More than 1,000 acres of forest had destroyed in the fire

No causality has been reported yet.

 Chief forestry officer, Karma Leki, said that steep terrain made it difficult to contain the fire.

According to forest officials, at least one forest fire is reported from Kanglung, Samkhar, Bidung, Udzorong, Bartsham and Yangnyer gewogs. “These gewogs are most fire-prone gewogs in the dzongkhag,” said an official.  

Given the high frequency of forest fires in the dzongkhag, the dzongkhag forestry division conducted numerous advocacy programmes, including highway and door-to-door campaign recently.

 “Even with all these efforts, nothing seems to work,” said a ranger.  

 The cause of the fire is being investigated.

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