Dhankuta, April 1 -- Fires broke out in six community and private forests in Dhankuta on Monday, destroying hundreds of hectares of forest vegetation.

A fire that started in the evening at Wagle Community Forest in wards 3 and 4 of Dhankuta Municipality has put nearby settlements at risk, said Dhan Bahadur Khadka, vice chair of the forest users' committee. The 22-hectare forest, mostly covered with pine trees, has suffered significant damage.

Another fire was reported on the same day in Tekunala in ward 8 in Dhankuta Municipality, according to police.

A fire also broke out at Kharayo Tea Estate in ward 1 of Dhankuta Municipality, which was brought under control late in the evening with the efforts of police and locals.

Similarly, a fi...