Ayubia forest fire rages for third consecutive day

Tourists, locals moved from Mushkpuri to Donga Gali

AYUBIA:

The fire in the surrounding forests of Muskpuri Top in Ayub National Park could not be put out on the third day.

Hundreds of trees of deodar, fir and cedar have turned into ashes owing to the forest fire while a large number of wild animals burnt to death too.

Unable to control the blazes, the officials concerned passed on the buck. Ayubia National Park management as well as the wildlife department have declared the premises under the administration of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Galyat DSP Jamilur Rehman said that he contacted the forest department but received no response.

He added that he immediately sent police to Mushkpuri Top to rescue locals and tourists after learning about fire and brought them back safely to Donga Gali.

Forest Department Chief Conservator Azhar Ali Khan said it would be premature to say what exactly had caused the fire but added that the department is sending teams to contain the inferno.

The local people have accused the forest department officials of causing the fires to hide their corruption of collusion with timber mafia and made appeal to the chief minister, chief secretary and all relevant quarters to order investigation into the matter.

They said that people living close to the forest have been left in the lurch as the officials have swerved from the responsibilities. The area resident salleged that the forest area was set on fire after the Supreme Court of Pakistan asked for proofs of trees planted under the Billion Tree Tsunami Project.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2021.