MANSEHRA/LOWER DIR: The Saleem Bagh mountain range near Mansehra city caught fire on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to flora and fauna.

“Our teams are actively engaged in efforts to extinguish the fire that erupted in Saleem Bagh forests,” District Emergency Officer Ibrar Ali told reporters on Tuesday.

Firefighters, along with fire tenders, rushed to the site and started efforts to extinguish the blaze, which spread quickly due to dry grass and pine needles.

“The fire was rapidly advancing towards nearby residential areas, but the swift response of our teams restricted it to the forested area,” Mr Ali said.

Unauthorised use of chainsaws banned in Dir

He said firefighters also used traditional methods to put out the blaze in high-altitude parts of the forest where fire tenders could not reach.

“People should avoid throwing or dumping inflammable materials in forests, as such wildfires not only destroy trees, herbs and shrubs but also kill wildlife, which is a fundamental component of biodiversity,” Mr Ali said.

Meanwhile, in view of the growing number of forest fires reported across various parts of Lower Dir over the past two weeks, the district administration on Tuesday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and enforced a series of restrictions to help protect forests, wildlife and public property.

According to an official notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad, the decision was taken following a report from the Divisional Forest Officer, Timergara, highlighting an increased risk of forest fires, illegal tree felling and the unauthorised use of chain saws in different forest areas of the district.

The notification stated that the situation posed a serious threat to forests, biodiversity, wildlife, public property, and human life, necessitating immediate preventive measures.

The district administration has banned the unauthorised use, transportation and operation of chain saws throughout the district, particularly in forest areas and adjoining localities.

The order also prohibits the felling or removal of trees without permission from the competent authority. In addition, setting fire to grass, crop residues, bushes or any combustible material in or near forest areas has been banned.

The notification warned that any activity likely to cause forest fires, whether through negligence or deliberate action, would be treated as a violation of the order.

The restriction will remain effective for 30 days unless withdrawn earlier. Violators will face legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026