GILGIT, July 31: Various non-governmental organisations working for protection of forests and wildlife in the Diamer district have urged the regional forest department to look into a jungle fire in which about 7,000 forest tress were reduced to ashes.

The sources said forests of Gasse Lower, 134kms south of Gilgit, were designated as protected ones in Diamer and not a single tree was cut down for commercial purposes. However, it has been alleged that some vandals set on fire the forests, destroying thousands of trees.

They said that about a month ago various NGOs had lodged complaints with the regional forest department, asking it to investigate the matter. But the authorities were yet to launch an investigation.