Published by: The Kathmandu Post | 17 March 2025
Wildfires burned around 82 hectares of forest land in Sindhupalchok in February 2025, particularly in the upper regions of Jugal and Bhotekoshi rural municipalities. The blazes took days to extinguish.
A separate fire in the Liping forest in ward 2 of Bhotekoshi rural municipality, near the Nepal-China border, burned 35 hectares. The fires destroyed mature trees and disrupted the growth of new vegetation in the area.
Researchers warn that Nepal’s forests could release more than 495 million tonnes of carbon if fire damage continues at its current pace, including over 170 million tonnes of soil organic carbon and 325 million tonnes of above-ground wood carbon.
Tourism in the region faces growing risk. Smoke from fires has lingered over the Annapurna region into the monsoon season in recent years, blocking mountain views from popular spots. Experts warn that fire-induced air pollution could overwhelm hospitals with respiratory cases as the season peaks.
Sindhupalchok: Wildfires Burn 82 Hectares in Sindhupalchok, Near Nepal-China Border (published by: https://kathmandupost.com/money/2025/03/17/wildfires-put-500m-tonnes-of-carbon-and-tourism-at-risk, 17 March 2025)