Manthali (Ramechhap) / Forest fires broke out in 155 places of eight municipalities and rural municipalities in the district have destroyed almost 4,500 hectares of forest area in the apst one month. 

According to the Division Forest Office, Doramba Shailung rural municipality had faced maximum loss and damage. 

Forest Officer Om Sagar Bhandari said fire incidents have so far caused damage to 155 community and leasehold forests. Bio-diversity including wildlife species has been severely affected due to fire in many forest. Two persons have lost their lives to forest fire in the district this year. 

Meanwhile, local administration has been sensitizing the locals about the loss and damage from the forest fire. 

The administration has called for local communities towards the preservation of forest and wildlife cautioning that legal action against setting fire in the forest will be taken under the criminal charge.