Inferno: Fire in Odigram wreaks trail of destruction

Flames affect parts of boundary wall of Raja Gera Fort

MINGORA: Hundreds of trees were reduced to ashes as a fire erupted near the archaeological site in Odigram, Swat.

Officials privy to the development told The Express Tribune the inferno started on Friday and caused significant losses to the archaeological site and the wildlife in the adjoining forest.

“The fire has posed serious threats to the wildlife in the jungle,” said Barkat Ali Nasir, a local. “The area around the archaeological site has a dense forest and is home to many wild animals.”

According to Nasir, there is a strong likelihood the fire has affected endangered species of wild birds that were released into the forest by the government a few weeks ago.

Grave intensity

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Syed Habib Ali Shah, a politician, said the firefighters of Rescue 1122 were trying to extinguish the flame.

“However, they have failed to do so,” he said. “The intensity of the fire was particularly high and it could not be extinguished even after a long effort of 24 hours.”

Shah added, “The district administration of Swat was absent while the fire was being brought under control.

The district administration was informed on time but it failed to provide help.”

Faizur Rehman, who heads the archaeological sites in Swat, said the fire has affected parts of the boundary wall of Raja Gera Fort.

“The 1,000-year-old Mahmood Ghaznavi Mosque has not been affected,” he said. “We are in contact with government officials and have informed them about the losses.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2016.