Roundup: Bhutan's pristine forest cover threatened by continuous forest fire

More than 72 percent of the Bhutan's land is covered with green forest, which largely contributes to the country's position of being carbon negative.

The constitution of Bhutan also mandates a minimum of 60 percent forest cover all time.

The pristine forest of Bhutan is, however, threatened by yearly forest fire that burns down thousands of acres of forest every year. The forest department recently revealed that this year along, within around two months more than 20,000 acres of forest cover has been burnt in forest fires.

An estimate of more than 10,000 acres of forest cover is lost to fire every year, said Kinley Tshering, an official for forest fire management program at the department of forest and park services.

Forest officials said the most recent and one of the biggest fire was record ed last week when a weeklong forest fire burned down thousands of acres of forest cover under Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park under Athang, a community in Wangdue district, which is around four hours drive from Thimphu.

Had it not been a rainfall on the night of April 15, the fire would be still raging.

Most of the forest fires, Tshering told Xinhua, lasted for one to five days, while some last even more than a week as it became difficult for fire fighters to battle fire especially when it reached rugged mountain tops and steep slopes.

Forest officials said despite various awareness programs and announcements, the rate of forest fire has increased rapidly this year. In 2015, the number of forest fire dropped to 33 from about 66 cases in 2014. However, within last three months since the beginning of 2016, the fire record saw sharp increase.

Within last five years, more than 216 forest fires were reported, which has razed down a total of 96,044 acres of forest cover, as per the yearly record maintained by the ministry of forest.

Forest officials said except for few, the inspection has found that majority forest fires were caused by human carelessness or other activities. In most cases fires were caused due to activities including burning of agricultural debris, children playing with flammable materials, cattle herders and picnickers.

It becomes difficult to avoid such lapses and it is also challenging for foresters to impose fine, said forest officials.

There were cases where short-circuit from transmission poles have also caused major forest fires. Last winter, the forest department imposed fine on Bhutan power corporation after a short circuit on the way to capital city of Thimphu caused a five-day long forest fire. However, officials said such cases are rare.

If a fire escapes from burning of agricultural debris, campfire or bonfire set with permit, the person setting the fire will be fined Nu 10,000. The additional fine involves total manpower and vehicles involved. The fine is raised to Nu 50,000 if the person doesn't have a permit.

To deter people from setting forest fires, the forest department endorsed tough rules in 2012.

If the cause is a faulty power line or short circuit, a fine of Nu 10,000 is imposed. A similar fine is imposed if fire escapes from a road and related activities.

Local leaders and forest officials have been going door-to-door conducting forest fire prevention campaigns in which the people are briefed on responsibility, burning things safely and penalties.

Considering frequent forest fires occurring in the capital city and other districts, agriculture minister Yeshey Dorji has even suggested forming a team of foresters to respond to fires especially in Thimphu. Without fire fighters, volunteers, armed forces, police, foresters, civil servants and local people come together to battle forest fires as of now.

Despite the raging forest fires, the country has been working hard to maintain and conserve its forest coverage. In 2015, it broke the world record by planting maximum number of trees within one hour by 100 volunteers. On March 6 this year, Bhutan planted 108,000 saplings across its 20 districts to welcome its new prince.

Tree plantations have become part of school activities, and on June 2, schools' across the nation dedicated the day to the former King's father by planting trees.

The Natural Resources Development Corporation, which produces timber for both selling and national use, invests Nu 6.2M (USD 92,000) to carry out planting saplings and conserving forest annually.

The country also protects its forest cover through its 600 community forest groups, which helps reduce timber felling and also carry out yearly plantations. Endit