ICIMOD HELP TO FIGHT FIRES Kathmandu, 12 April: The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) on Friday jointly launched a remote sensing system for fire detection and monitoring system. The move comes at a time when fires are raging nation-wide during the dry spell that lasts until the beginning of monsoon rains. The system was launched in the capital. The system is the first of its kind in the region, according to ICIMOD. Nnnm BLACK BUCK POPULATION INCREASES Kathmandu, 12 April: The number of blackbucks transferred to Hirapur Phanta in the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, has now increased to 30 in only six, RSS writes from Kanchanpir. months. The officials had brought a total of 28 black bucks, one of the endangered species, in October, from the Central Zoo, Jawalakhel, and a zoo of Nepalgunj Municipality. The officials had brought eight males and 14 females from Nepalgunj while three males, two females and a calf was brought from the Central Zoo. However, two black bucks had died while shifting their settlements, according to the officials. Earlier, the blackbucks were transferred to the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve after conducting a feasibility study. A cabin box and an electric fence wire have been installed in seven hectares of land for the protection of the blackbucks. Ranger in the Wildlife Reserve Binaya Kumar Jha said the electric fence wire was fixed to prevent the leopards, tigers and other animals from attacking the antelopes. Similarly, two ponds and two houses for creating shade have been constructed. Khairapur of the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is the main home for the black bucks. The endangered animal is protected in Nepalgunj, Mrigasthali in Kathmandu and Hirapur in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. nnnn