Second in a day: Another fire erupts on Margalla Hills
Capital Development Authority (CDA) firefighters finally doused the blaze on Saturday afternoon.
A fire broke out on the hills at Dara Janglan near trail 5 at 9pm on Friday night.
ISLAMABAD:
After an unusual month of May, when no fires were reported on the Margallas, there have been two in less than 24 hours.
A fire broke out on the hills at Dara Janglan near trail 5 at 9pm on Friday night. Capital Development Authority (CDA) firefighters finally doused the blaze on Saturday afternoon.
CDA Environment Member Mustafain Kazmi said the careless attitude of locals and picnickers was behind the fire. He said picnickers would burn charcoal for cooking and leave the burning embers behind, which can set fire to the already dry vegetation.
“They also throw burning matches and lit cigarettes on bushes and dry pine cones, which quickly catch fire,” he said.
He explained that every summer, fires affect an area of about 12,605 hectares. The Margallas witnesses an average of 31 small and large scale fires every year, mostly between May and July.
“Every year from June 15 to July 15, the CDA engages around 400 daily-wagers to keep strict watch and to create awareness,” he said.
He said around 600 CDA employees regularly perform duties in two shifts at 33 pickets and popular tourist spots such as Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, jogging trails and other picnic spots to keep an eye on such incidents.
He said such incidents damage the environment in general and the unique flora and fauna of the hills in particular.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.
After an unusual month of May, when no fires were reported on the Margallas, there have been two in less than 24 hours.
A fire broke out on the hills at Dara Janglan near trail 5 at 9pm on Friday night. Capital Development Authority (CDA) firefighters finally doused the blaze on Saturday afternoon.
CDA Environment Member Mustafain Kazmi said the careless attitude of locals and picnickers was behind the fire. He said picnickers would burn charcoal for cooking and leave the burning embers behind, which can set fire to the already dry vegetation.
“They also throw burning matches and lit cigarettes on bushes and dry pine cones, which quickly catch fire,” he said.
He explained that every summer, fires affect an area of about 12,605 hectares. The Margallas witnesses an average of 31 small and large scale fires every year, mostly between May and July.
“Every year from June 15 to July 15, the CDA engages around 400 daily-wagers to keep strict watch and to create awareness,” he said.
He said around 600 CDA employees regularly perform duties in two shifts at 33 pickets and popular tourist spots such as Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, jogging trails and other picnic spots to keep an eye on such incidents.
He said such incidents damage the environment in general and the unique flora and fauna of the hills in particular.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.