A wildfire in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, which had been raging since January 28, has finally been brought under control after nine days of intense efforts. The fire, which started in the higher reaches of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality, particularly in the mountainous region above Sikpaswor in ward 7, had spread over 600 hectares, including areas crucial for the habitat of the red panda.

According to Tulsi Prasad Dahal, head of the conservation area, the fire was initially difficult to contain, but a team of 70 people, which included personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force, successfully extinguished the flames on Thursday. The team had to be mobilised from all directions, given the challenging terrain.

The fire has caused extensive damage to the forest, including the complete destruction of the Himalayan bamboo forest, a crucial area for wildlife. Dahal said that the fire had blocked views of the Gaurishankar Himal and the Rolwaling mountain range, which are now visible again as the smoke has cleared.