Despite the Chinese government’s claim to have extinguished the forest fires in Ka Dha village on February 5, reports indicate that the forested areas continue to be ravaged by fire.
On February 5, a major fire broke out in the forests of Ka Dha village in Dzamthang County, Ngaba, Tibet, causing significant alarm and distress among the local people. Yesterday, the Chinese authorities claimed that the firefighters have been successful in putting out the fire and that There were no injuries or property damage. However, as of 12:45 PM Indian time 6th February, reports indicate that the fire is still active in Ka Dha village forest and continues to pose dangers to the surrounding areas. Local authorities have pledged to contain and extinguish the flames by the end of the 6th February.
According to a Tibetan source, the forested hills in Ka Dha village continue to burn. While the exact cause of the blaze remains unclear, there is speculation that it may have originated from the high-voltage power lines in the area. It’s important to note that this forest has always been under the control of the Chinese government, rather than being private Tibetan land. Firefighters made efforts to combat the flames at the base of the hill but were unsuccessful in extinguishing the fire near the summit.
Another Tibetan source shared that, amidst the wildfire crisis in Dzamthang, Tibetans have been actively sending photos and videos of the fire to various websites and individuals within Tibet. They are urging people to recite siddhi mantras and mani mantras as a means to help extinguish the fires. The individual also expressed concerns about the countless wildlife and insects that have been incinerated in the fires.
Tibet Times received three videos related to the fires, depicting the fierce red-hot blazes in the forest hills of Ka Dha, fearsome smoke line swirling in the sky above the villages, and the flames spreading very close to the villages.
In another incident, on February 2, forest hill in Nyagchu County, Tibet, caught fire. This was the third time the hill had caught fire. In December last year, a fire broke out on the hillside near Trin Shang, Hi Khug Village in Nyagchu County. On December 10, 2024, the fire intensified and burned down houses and forced more than 140 people to relocate.
Also, on January 18, a fire broke out in a forest near the village of Sa Le Shang Sechung in Kyirong County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet, greatly harming many animal inhabitants of the forest hills.
Reported by Palden
Edited by Kelsang Jinpa
Translated By TenGyal
