Mar 14, Kathmandu- Considering the risk of wildfires, various materials have been handed over to the Nepali Army and Police as a precautionary measure.

Division Forest Office, Udayapur Gaighat, has handed over equipment to the Pashupati Battalion, Nepal Army, 5th Armed Police Battalion and District Police for use in fire control, said Sanjeev Raj Dhakal, head of the office.

Chief District Officer of Udayapur, Hari Prasad Ghimire, said that fire racks, jumpsuits, fire shovels, backwater pumps and other materials have been handed over. Fires occur in the forest area every year in the district.

There are more than 337 community forests in the district and a national forest area in Belka Municipality. On average, 40 to 160 hectares of forest catch fire every year, according to the Division Forest Office.