TAPLEJUNG, Dec 30: The red pandas, already an endangered species, have faced new threat after its grazing land and habitat turned into ashes due to the fire that broke out in and around the forest area of Pathivara, posing a serious threat to the existence of the endangered mammals.
Forester of Division Forest Office Fupumyabu Sherpa said the inferno that started six days ago has destroyed around 90 hectares of forest area in Pathivara.
Sherpa said that the loss could not be assessed right now as the fire is still spreading in the forest area.
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There are 8-11 proper grazing lands and habitats of red pandas in the block stretching over 80 hectares in the Pathivara region, shared Ramesh Rai, programme coordinator of Himali Samrakshyan Munch, an organization working for the protection of red pandas.
The fire has completely destroyed the habitats of red pandas. Some of them were able to escape the ravaging fire while some others were burnt alive, Rai further shared.
The fire had engulfed Fawakhola forest and Sikaicha zone of the Pathivara region threatening the life of feeble wildlife.
Locals along with Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are working to douse the forest fire.
