ISLAMABAD: A major fire broke out on Monday in Chinari area on the Margalla Hills and it seems the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is unable to come up with an effective solution to prevent this yearlyoccurrence.

A day earlier, fire was also reported on forest number 16 in Saidpur Range on the hills. According to Director Environment Regional Rana Kashif, efforts were being made to extinguish fire in Chinari area as 100 local firefighters hired by the CDA as well as regular firefighters were taking part in the operation.

The director said fire was being doused out through traditional method of beating fire with bushes. Asked about the cause of fire, he said it had started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area and spread into the jurisdiction of the federal capital.

Spread over 12,605 hectares, the Margalla Hills National Park witnesses many fire incidents every year during summer.

To a query, the director said the CDA had set up a number of pickets and its officials patrolled the area to prevent fire incidents. He said fire was a natural phenomenon but involvement of locals, who lived in villages located on the hills, could not be ruled out.

Every year, the CDA gave temporary firefighting jobs to the villagers during the fire season and it seemed those who could not get employment deliberately set the forests on fire.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...