Top Provinces with Highest Number of Wildfire in Nepal (2077/78)

Last updated on 2024-04-25

Nepal's forest area is estimated to be 5.5 million ha, or 37.4 percent of the country's total area. Another 15.7 percent of the land is classified as "other land," which has the potential to be developed into forest or pasture. Shrublands, grasslands, and uncultivated areas are examples of these lands. Seasonal fires are common in Nepal in March and April to manage farmland and pastures. The fires became particularly severe in 2021, as many spread and burned uncontrollably through forests. Months of unusually dry weather have parched vegetation, turning it into tinder.Because of the unprecedented rate at which wildfires have ravaged the forests, the country continues to experience the worst air quality in recent years. Hence every year during the fire season, air pollution levels across Nepal remain extremely high for many days, affecting the region's economy and people's health.

*The ranking is based on the data published by the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation.

7. Lumbini

Image Source: Ministry of Health and Population

Lumbini province is divided into 12 districts. It is located in Nepal's Midwestern region, bordering Gandaki province and Karnali province to the north, Gandaki province to the east, India to the south, and Karnali province and Sudurpaschim province to the west. It is made up of 109 local units and spans an area of 22,288 km2. Rupandehi is the provincial capital. The entire forest area of Lumbini Province is 7936 hectares (HA), accounting for approximately 48.8 percent of the province's total land area. Between 2077 and 2078, the province experienced 47 wildfires, with a wildfire risk zone of approximately 5,189 kilometers square.

Cases of Wildfire : 47
Total Risk Zone : 5,189 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 7936

6. Gandaki

Image Source: The Kathmandu Post

The province of Gandaki is divided into 11 districts. It is located in western Nepal, bounded to the north by China, to the east by Bagmati Province, to the south by Lumbini Province and India, and to the west by Bagmati Province. It consists of 85 local units and covers a total area of 21504 km2. Pokhara is the capital of Province 4 in Nepal.Gandaki Province has a total forest area of 794945 hectares (HA), accounting for approximately 37.2% of the province's total land area. Between 2077 and 2078, the province experienced 61 wildfires, with a wildfire risk zone of approximately 1,828 kilometers square.

Cases of Wildfire : 61
Total Risk Zone : 1,828 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 794945

5. Sudurpaschim

Image Source: Aarthik News

Sudurpaschim Province has nine districts. It is in the far western region of Nepal, bordering Karnali Province and India to the north, Lumbini Province and Karnali Province to the east, India to the south, and India to the west. It consists of 88 local units and covers an area of 19,539 km2.Dhangadhi is the provincial capital. Province 7 i.e Sudurpaschim, has a total forest area of 1083769 hectares (HA), accounting for approximately 56.9 percent of the province's total land area. The province had 71 wildfires between 2077 and 2078, with a wildfire risk zone of approximately 3,249 kilometers square.

Cases of Wildfire : 71
Total Risk Zone : 3,249 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 1083769

4. Karnali

Image Source: The Kathmandu Post

The province of Karnali is divided into 10 districts. It borders China to the north, Gandaki Province and Lumbini Province to the east, Lumbini Province and Sudurpaschim Province to the south, and Sudurpaschim Province and India to the west. It consists of 72 local units and covers a total area of 27,984 km2. The province's capital is Surkhet.Karnali, Province 6, has a total forest area of 1177033 hectares (HA), accounting for approximately 38.4 percent of the province's total land area. Between 2077 and 2078, Karnali had 72 numbers of wildfires with a wildfire risk zone of approximately 2,523 kilometers square.

Cases of Wildfire : 72
Total Risk Zone : 2,523 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 1177033

3. Province 1

Image Source: Radio Kantipur

Province 1 is divided into 14 districts. It is in eastern Nepal, with China to the north, India to the east and south, and Provinces 2 and 3 to the west. It consists of 137 local units and covers a total area of 25,905 km2. The provincial capital is Biratnagar.Province 1 has a total wooded area of 1122126 hectares (HA), or approximately 43.3 percent of the province's total land area. Province 1 experienced the third highest number of wildfires, 101, between 2077 and 2078, with a wildfire risk zone of roughly 2,072 kilometers square.

Cases of Wildfire : 101
Total Risk Zone : 2,072 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 1122126

2. Province 2

Image Source: Rising Nepal Daily

Province 2 is made up of eight districts. It is located in Nepal's Eastern Terai region, bordered to the north by provinces 1 and 3, to the east by province 1, to the south by India, and to the west by province 3. It covers a total area of 9661 km2 and has 136 local units. The provincial capital is Janakpur. The total forested area in Province 2 is 202202 hectares (HA), which accounts for approximately 22.8% percent of the province's total land area. Province 2 had the second highest number of wildfires, 129, between 2077 and 2078, with the province containing approximately 731 kilometers square of the wildfire risk zone.

Cases of Wildfire : 129
Total Risk Zone : 731 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 202202

1. Bagmati

Image Source: The Kathmandu Post

The province of Bagmati is divided into 13 districts. It is in central Nepal, bordered by China to the north, Province 1 to the east, Province 2 and India to the south, and Gandaki Province to the west. It consists of 119 local units and covers an area of 20,300 km2. The provincial capital is Hetauda. Bagmati province's total forested area is 982165 hectares (HA), accounting for approximately 51.5 percent of the province's total land area. Bagmati province had the highest number of wildfires between 2077-2078, i.e.180 cases of wildfire, with the province containing approximately 4,541 kilometers square of wildfire risk zone.

Cases of Wildfire : 180
Total Risk Zone : 4,541 km²
Total Forest Area (in Hectares) : 982165