K-P govt declares emergency due to fire at Koh-e-Suleman

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Sunday has declared an emergency following the raging fire at Koh-e-Suleman mountain range located in the junction of the province, Balochistan and erstwhile Fata.

In a statement, Minister for Local Government Faisal Amin Khan said three people died and four others were injured after being trapped in the fire.

He said security forces, rescue organisations and locals were working to contain the major fire on the Balochistan side while teams and machinery on the K-P side were simultaneously also working to create access to the terrain.

The minister said that the lack of water at the site and steep cliffs make it extremely difficult to approach the location.

He said chilghoza, pine and olive trees over 400 acres on the K-P side have been affected as the strong winds are enhancing the intensity of the fire.

Khan said the chief minister of K-P issued instructions to all departments for cross-border support to protect people and natural resources.

Meanwhile, on the directives of the CM of Balochistan, the provincial chief secretary has established a task force, led by Secretary Forest, to implement rescue and relief operations of extinguishing the fire on the pine trees in the Sherani district.

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According to an official handout, the task force will coordinate with federal and provincial departments, and national and international donors for rehabilitation operations through appropriate channels.

The task force will also assess damages to properties, and the loss of human lives and submit reports on a daily basis.

Thousands of farmers have lost their only source of income in the uncontrolled fire in the Musakial and Sherani districts of Balochistan pine forests, an area 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 a lack of resources, proper equipment as well as timely response.

The fire was first reported 12 days ago and it spread quickly in the Koh-e-Suleman 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.