29/11/2025
The Gatlang Forest Fire Case
In 2009, a massive forest fire scorched approximately 273 hectares of high-altitude forest between 2,900m to 3,500m in the Aamachodingmo Rural Municipality, Rasuwa. The affected region falls under the territory of two community forests- Bonjo Mane Community Forest and Jyarsha Gothyan Community Forest. Rich in coniferous trees, the forest burnt until no life was left.
“Fire lasted for months, it was pitch dark for days…we could not see, and the atmosphere was very toxic. We were kids back then. It was horrible.”
– Chandika Tamang, deputy head of Aamachodingmo Rural Municipality and a Gatlang resident.
Former Division Forest Office (DFO) official Badri Dhungana cites three probable causes: poachers' activity, grazers seeking fresh pasture, or accidental human activity. The dense forest was home to wildlife, and whoever started the fire likely did not anticipate such large-scale destruction. The coniferous trees burnt intensely, leaving the area at risk of crown fires- which start at treetops, often triggered by lightning or friction and heat.
