Up in smoke: Over 300 acres scrub forest reduced to ashes

Losses worth millions occurred; locals suspect act of arson

HARIPUR: Over 300 acres of scrub forest went up in a cloud of smoke in Khanpur. A large number of villagers believed this was a deliberate act of arson.

Officials told The Express Tribune on Friday, losses worth millions of rupees occurred over three days as scrub forests of Salrah Hill were reduced to ashes.

According to locals, the blaze started from Mamriyal, around two kilometres west of Khanpur Town, on May 1. It went out itself on May 3 near Suraj Gali. Hundreds of kaoo, kikar, phulahai, grinda and sanatha trees were destroyed while several plants were also reduced to ashes on Salrah Hill.

The area overlooks the three thickly-populated villages of Mamriyal, Dara and Suraj Gali.

Locals believe somebody deliberately set the dry grass alight and the fire quickly spread.

According to officials in the wildlife department, Salrah Hill was a reserved forest land and a natural habitat for grey and black partridges as well as various other species of birds and mammals.

Locals said the burnt forest area had two watchmen and a forest guard, but such heavy destruction indicated mismanagement, negligence and lack of a firefighting mechanism.

"Some of the villagers tried [to put out the blaze] on their own, but failed to do so," said Zahid, a local. He also believed that evidence pointed towards a deliberate act of arson.

When contacted, Haripur District Forest Officer Laiq Khan confirmed the report of the wildfire. However, he said it was not such a large area and his staff made ten announcements, asking locals to help extinguish the flames.

He confirmed that the flames finally died down on the third day. The officer said he was unable to assess the exact damage caused by the fire as he was busy compiling a report. He said he had visited the area twice.

When asked about an enquiry, he disconnected the phone call and did not respond to further calls.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2016.