Sink Bohora, Surma Rural Municipality of Bajang Province, was hit by heavy rains on June 2 in the highlands of Baisimare. Bohora, who had climbed the hill to collect Yarsgumban, was in her tent with her 13-year-old son and 16-year-old son. Old nephew. Bohora’s son and nephew were able to run safely when the snow hit, but Sinki was taken away with the tent.
The Sink family has been setting up tents in the area for the past 11 years. This is the first flood in the area.
Sinki’s relative Ramsh Bohora said the storm was caused by a wildfire in a nearby pine forest.
“A huge fire was burning in the pine forest,” says Ramsh. “I believe the heat of the fire melted the ice, which brought it to ice.”
According to Ramsh, the wildfire in the pine forest, about four miles[1.5 km]away, had been raging for four days before the floodwaters receded.
Experts agree with local residents that the property was damaged by a wildfire in the snow-covered highlands.
According to Dr. Sandip Takuri, a mountain expert and dean of science and technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the Midwest, the June 2 snowstorm may have been caused by rising temperatures following a wildfire in the highlands.
“There are small valleys and cliffs near the mountain. When a wildfire breaks out, the heat is trapped in deep ravines and valleys, which increases the temperature in the area. The heat causes unnatural melting of the ice, which leads to ice, ”says Takuri.
Takuri said such events have a long-term impact on the highlands.
“Wildfires play an important role in aggravating the melting process as carbon dioxide is released in the mountains, which increases the temperature,” Takuri said.
Wildfires in the highlands not only lead to sudden snowfall, but also pose a serious threat to the ecology and biodiversity of the Himalayas. In addition to destroying forests, vegetation, and wildlife, wildfires have damaged the livelihoods of local people.
In the first week of June, wildfires engulfed dozens of forests and shrubs, including in the rural areas of Surma, including Gaisera, Tapoban, Deltela, Chandeshikar, Bissimare, Sunkani and Jaljala. These wildfires turned green forests into ashes.
In May-June this year, wildfires broke out in most of the highlands in Bajang.
“Wildfires in the mountainous region begin in April-May. People from the lowlands are heading for the highlands, collecting yarsgumban and setting fires in various places, ”said Subas Bohora, a resident of Cypal Rural. “This is not the first time a wildfire has been reported. This event happens every year.
According to data from the Department of Forests and Environmental Protection, under the Ministry of Forests and Environmental Protection, the wildfire control system has recorded forest fires in 48 places in Bajang from May to June this year. Last year, the system recorded 290 wildfires in the district. These are notable for small forest fires, except for small forest fires.
Wildfires in the mountainous region of Bajang have affected 30 percent of the world’s flora and fauna. Located 4,000 meters above sea level, the district’s forest areas are home to unique wildlife, including musk deer, Himalayan tar, Himalayan blue sheep and snow leopards, among others. Protected birds, including dandelions and Himalayan moons, are also found in these highlands. However, the number of these species of animals and birds has decreased over the past few years.
“In the past, we have seen Danfe and Himalayan mobs flying nearby,” said Man Bahadur Singh, chairman of Jasa PreTV Municipality. “We don’t see them now. Instead, we see burnt bird nests with their eggs and chicks in different places. ”
Although wildfires are common in the neighborhood to increase grass production, locals say people are burning in the forest for no reason.
“Sometimes people who go into the forest to collect plants throw away burning cigar butter, which leads to forest fires,” says Nawaraj Pujara, a resident of Surma. Some people burn the forest in anger without finding the plants they want.
Pujara added that hunters and hunters are responsible for the wildfires and wildfires have been reported in the forest since the end of the harvest season between October and December.
There have been frequent wildfires in the highlands of the woreda, but no scientific studies have been conducted in the region. Locals say that after wildfires, a forest may take years to regenerate.
“How do wildlife and plants grow when there is no forest?” Cypal Rural Municipality Runche Bohora said. “When wildfires start, there is no shelter and no food for the animals. Wildlife in the region is disappearing. “
They say that wildfires in the mountains are more permanent than other regions because most of the plant and animal species in the region are listed as endangered, endangered, endangered or most endangered.
“In terms of biodiversity, the mountainous area is home to some of the most important plants and wildlife in the region. Gimire.
Gimir can grow up to one meter in a year on both hills and plains, but it takes at least 10-15 years for any plant in the mountainous region to reach that height.
“Wildfires in the mountainous region can take the life of some plants. It is a crime to start wildfires in a biodiversity region. This must be stopped,” he said.
The Hafazard wildfires not only endangered wildlife and plants, but also depleted the livelihoods of forest-dependent locals. Locals say wildfires, which have drastically reduced the supply of plants, including Yasgumban, have been on the rise for years. Due to declining plant production, many locals are migrating to neighboring India in search of work.
Herbal traders say that just 10 years ago, the herbal trade in Bajang woreda generated 1 billion rubles. According to Dan Bahadur Surmeli, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the amount has now been reduced to 200-250 million rupees.
“The production of yarsgumba in the Bajang highlands has been declining over the years, leading to trade,” said Surmeli, a well-known herbal trader. “The plant trade will be declining in the coming years.”
Meanwhile, no one turned to control the blaze for no apparent reason.
Er and Bahhadur Kati, head of the Forest Division, said that although it was aware of a wildfire, no action had been taken.
“We know that wildfires are on the rise, but there are no programs to control them,” says Kathy. “Since the forest office does not have enough manpower, raising awareness with plant collectors can help monitor and prosecute those involved in deforestation.”
“Maybe the local community can do something about it,” he said.
However, local units themselves have no clue how to control dangerous wildfires.
“Forests are being destroyed by unplanned wildfires. If this continues, there will be no plant life left in the mountainous area, ”said Kadka Bohora, a local official in Bajang. “We are working to raise awareness to prevent wildfires.”
He said that before the next harvest season, the local unit will make significant efforts to control such problems.
