Khandbari: The deforestation of rhododendron forests in Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale is continuing unabated, threatening the existence of the rhododendron capital.

Rhododendron forests sprawl over Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung and Tehrathum districts, and are a major attraction for tourists. These forests host 27 species of rhododendron.

Today, one can see the nude hills of Dunda and Ratnyule that fall within the remit of Chaite Community Forest in Basantpur VDC. They were covered with dense forest 15 years ago, but deforestation began when a road reached the VDC.

Tamaphok 9, Tutedeurali, has developed into a small town. There are more households in Panchapokhari now. Those who left the villages during the insurgency have returned since the CA elections. There are houses all along the road from Basantapur to Gupha Pokhari, and the forest has been cleared as far as 200 metres from the settlement.

Krishna Devkota, acting chief of the District Forest Office, Sankhuwasabha, says deforestation has continued as people do not have an alternative to firewood for heating and cooking purposes. The only forests in the area are rhododendron, and locals estimate about 50 per cent of rhododendron forests have been destroyed so far.
Shyam Bahadur Poudel of Tamaphok VDC sees the imminent extinction of rhododendron forests in the area. Deforestation has also increased the frequency of landslides.

The Land Conservation Office has developed a nursery for rhododendrons in Sankhuwasabha. "The rhododendron forests will have already been cleared before the seedlings are ready to be transplanted from the nursery," says Heema Khanal, principal of Gupha Pokhari Primary School.