More than 20 settlements in Mahottari district are at high risk of forest fire.

These settlements which are located near the forests towards the north and south along the East-West Highway in the district are at high risk of wildfire, it has been learnt.

Locals of Bhabsi, Dhungre, Gananta, Bardanda, Tuteshwar, Cheru, Khayarmara and Hathilet of Bardibas Municipality which are close to Banke, Maraha, Tuteshwar and Maisthan forests in the district have been spending nights in vigil after seeing bushfires in the nearby forests.

Likewise, locals of Ramnagar, Belgachhi and Laxminiya among other areas in Gaushala Municipality are also in constant fear of wildfire as their settlements are also close to the forest areas and bush fires often break out in the summer season.

The risk of forest fire is high in the dry summer season after winter as the leaves trees lose during the winter are highly prone to catching fire.

The District Forest Office, Mahottari, said that locals especially the cattle farmers start the forest fire in the belief that doing so would help in the regeneration of grass and foliage for their cattle for the next season in the patch of the burnt down forest area.