Forest fires become threat to wildlife habitats

The habitats of birds and wild animals are currently facing grave danger owing to fires at different places in the forests of the Kaghan Forest Division. Black thick smoke is also polluting the environment of Balakot and the Kaghan Valley.

Wild animals have started coming towards human settlements due to the impact of forest fires on the habitats of wildlife. A few days ago, a woman was killed by a bear in daylight at Pimhara, and such incidents have happened in the past as well.

Despite the occurrence of forest fires every year, the forest department is unable to take any measures to control and prevent blazes. Locals have demanded the Kyber Pakhtunkhwa government take measures to prevent forest fires.

Every year, not only plants, herbs, birds and insects are affected by the fires in the forests of Balakot and the Kaghan Valley but the species of rare birds are also on the brink of extinction. Apart from forests and wildlife, many settlements have also been damaged in the past due to fires.

Clouds of smoke rising from forest fires have also polluted the atmosphere of the valley while an increase in the intensity of heat has also been seen due to the fire.

On Saturday, fires broke out on the hills and mountains in Khanpur tehsil. The first blaze erupted near Kanthala village in Upper Khanpur and the other broke out in the Chihkai mountains. The causes of fires were not yet known.

Firefighting teams of Rescue 1122 Haripur reached the spot and brought the fires under control after several hours of tireless efforts. They faced difficulties extinguishing the flames due to the darkness, difficult mountain passages and gusty winds.

Separately, a sudden fire broke out in the Horizon Paper Mill situated in the Hattar Industrial Estate due to unknown reasons. Rescue 1122 tenders immediately reached the spot and started battling the flames. They managed to douse the flames after six hours of effort. The fire erupted in the fuel stored in the power generation unit of the factory. Two fire vehicles and eight rescue personnel controlled the fire with the help of 40,000 litres of water.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.