Thousands lose livelihood in Shirani fire

QUETTA:

Thousands of farmers have lost their only source of income in the uncontrolled fire in Musakial and Sherani district of Balochsitan pine forests as the area is famous for the production of quality pine nuts.

The fire has engulfed an area of 30 square kilometres and every effort to bring it under control has failed due to lack of resources, proper equipment as well as timely response.

The fire was first reported 11 days ago and it spread quickly in the Koh-e-Suliman range which is home to the world’s largest pine forest.

It has reduced millions of trees to ashes inflicting billions of rupees losses on the local communities who are dependent on the harvest of pine nuts for generations.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo, Commander 12-Corps, Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali, and Federal Minister for Housing Maulana Abdul Wasey visited Zhob to monitor the firefighting activity.

Commissioner Zhob Division, Bashir Ahmed Bazai and Secretary Forest, Dostain Jamaldini briefed them about the ongoing operation and fire situation.

The fire has gutted ancient trees in the Sherani district, the commissioner noted.

On Saturday, helicopters were also used to extinguish the fire. However, it continues to spread fast due to high winds.

“The fire has destroyed our livelihood,” Muhammad Khan Sherani, an elder of the area told The Express Tribune.

He said people of the area were financially dependent on this forest for hundreds of years.

“This fire has snatched bread from our mouths,” he said.

An official of the district administration maintained the fire has engulfed a 30 kilometers area and it was spreading fast which was really disturbing.

“The forest was part of our lives and main source of income. The destruction of indigenous flora and fauna left us completely ruined,” Muhammad Ghous, another elder observed.

He, however, hit out at the government for what he called its late, insufficient and poorly coordinated response.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took notice of the rampant fire in the Koh-e-Suleman range. He appointed the Federal Minister for Housing Maulana Abdul Wasey as his special assistant on the matter.

“I am in contact with the PM and provincial government at the same time,” Maulana Wasey said.

He added that the government was aware of the importance of the forest and its impacts on the local communities. “We feel the pain of local population and realize their difficulties,” added the Maulana.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2022.