20/01/2026
A call to conscience: Preventing forest fire, a responsibility for every citizen
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Our Chirpine forests are among the most forest fire prone ecosystems during the dry winter months. Since the onset of this winter alone, eight forest fire incidents have been recorded in Trashigang and Trashiyangtse under the Trashigang Divisional Forest Office, 99% all within Chirpine forests. Except for one fire originating across the border, the rest are suspected to have been caused by electrical faults and careless disposal of cigarette butts.
Once a forest fire ignites in these landscapes, containing it becomes almost impossible. Steep, inaccessible cliffs and strong winds quickly turn a small spark into a raging inferno. Yet, despite these dangers, forest officials, the Royal Bhutan Police, Desup, partner agencies, local governments, and community volunteers repeatedly place their lives at risk, standing united to protect what is not merely timber or trees, but Bhutanβs living natural heritage.
Well before the fire season begins, field offices under the Department of Forests and Park Services including DFO Trashigang invest immense time, effort, and resources in preventive actions, including door-to-door awareness, community advocacy, and education through various media. Still, forest fire incidents continue to rise, reminding us that prevention cannot succeed without public responsibility.
Forests are not owned by institutions alone. They are the shared natural asset of the nation, and their protection is enshrined in our Constitution as both a core national value and a fundamental duty of every citizen. Safeguarding our forests today ensures that Bhutan upholds its sacred commitment of maintaining at least 60% forest cover for all times to come.
And if one is still indifferent to the loss of forests, the pollution of air, or the contamination of water, then as Buddhists we must at least be mindful of the countless living beings that perish silently in forest fires. Billions of insects, small animals, and unseen life forms are burned alive in a single fire. Taking or causing the loss of life, even unintentionally, is considered a grave sin in our spiritual belief, one of the heaviest negative actions one can accumulate. A forest fire is therefore not only an environmental tragedy, but also a profound moral and spiritual loss.
Therefore, with deep concern and collective hope, the Trashigang Divisional Forest Office humbly appeals to every citizen to act responsibly:
β’ Do not discard cigarette butts in fire-prone areas
β’ Avoid burning agricultural debris without proper permission, especially during windy conditions
β’ Refrain from picnicking in fire-prone forests, or ensure all fires are fully extinguished
β’ Do not play with fire, and prevent children from handling matches or lighters
β’ Create fire lines around properties located near forest edges
β’ Immediately inform the Royal Bhutan Police, local government, Dzongkhag, or forest officials if a forest fire is detected
A forest fire does not only destroy trees; it pollutes our air, contaminates our water, threatens wildlife, and harms human health. The quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink are directly linked to the forests we protect or fail to protect.
Let us remember: preventing forest fires is far easier than mourning lost forests. Let us not wait for disaster to teach us responsibility. Let us act with wisdom, compassion, and foresight. By acting responsibly today, we protect life in all its forms, safeguard clean air and pure water for healthy communities, and create a prosperous future for generations yet to come.
The forest protects us; now it is our turn to protect the forest.
FOREST FIRES ARE PREVENTABLE; LET US COLLECTIVELY PREVENT FOREST FIRES!
