Dolakha, Feb. 3 -- The usual blanket of snow that covers the Rolwaling Mountain range in mid-January has been overshadowed by smoke from a wildfire in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. Since Saturday, the fire has been raging in the higher reaches of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality-7, particularly in the area above Sikpaswor, and remains out of control.

Wildfires are not uncommon in this region, but this year the blaze began in mid-January, the time when snowfall would cover the forests. By Monday, the smoke from the fire had blanketed the Gaurishankar Himal and the Rolwaling mountain range, with even the snow-capped ridges becoming tinged with black from the flames.

The wildlife, which descends to lower altitudes during the cold wint...