Forest fires: A growing threat to KP’s green gold
PESHAWAR (APP): The increasing incidence of forest fires has emerged as a serious social and environmental challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the province’s precious green gold remains highly vulnerable to human negligence, particularly during the summer season.
From the lush forest valleys of Swat and Chitral to the rugged mountains of Kohistan and the pine-covered hills of Nathiagali in Abbottabad, thousands of hectares of forests face an increasing risk of uncontrolled fires due to the carelessness of tourists and local communities, experts said.
Former Conservator of Forests Gulzar Rehman told APP on Tuesday that the careless disposal of cigarette butts by tourists often causes irreparable damage to forests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Even campfires or cooking fires left unattended in forest and recreational areas can quickly spread during hot and dry weather, reducing valuable timber resources to ashes,” he said.
Gulzar said that forest fires inflict immense damage on wildlife, natural resources, and human communities.
“What was once considered a seasonal natural phenomenon has now become a major social problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, requiring urgent attention from the provincial government,” he added.
Former chief of the Wildlife Department, Dr. Mumtaz Malik, said that while forest fires can occur naturally due to lightning, extreme heat, and prolonged drought, a significant number of incidents are linked to human activities.
“Careless campfires, discarded cigarette butts, agricultural burning, and deliberate acts of arson are among the leading causes of forest fires,” he told APP.
He said the destruction of forest habitats forces wildlife, birds, and wild bee populations to migrate in search of safer environments, disrupting ecological balance and negatively affecting the food chain.
Dr. Mumtaz observed that climate change has further aggravated the problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells have created conditions that allow fires to spread more rapidly across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s forests,” he said.
The impact of forest fires extends far beyond the destruction of trees. Experts warned that they destroy habitats, threaten biodiversity, and release large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Communities living near forests often face property losses, displacement, health hazards caused by smoke pollution, and in some cases, loss of life.
Experts said the KP governments spend millions of rupees annually on firefighting operations, rehabilitation efforts, and disaster relief, while tourism and forest-dependent industries also suffer substantial economic losses.
“In many developing regions, forest fires worsen poverty by depriving communities of fuel, food, and livelihood opportunities,” Dr. Mumtaz said.
Environmental experts stressed that preventing forest fires requires collective responsibility. They emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, improved forest management practices, and active community participation.
They also highlighted the need for modern technologies, including satellite monitoring and early warning systems, to detect and control fires before they become catastrophic.
Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Haripur Aqeel Abbasi said the Forest Department remains on high alert to combat forest fire incidents across the district, particularly in vulnerable forest ranges during the ongoing dry season.
He said forest protection teams, field staff, and local volunteers had been mobilized to respond swiftly to any fire outbreak.
“Immediate firefighting measures are being undertaken to contain blazes and prevent their spread to adjoining forest compartments,” he said.
The DFO said that forest fires pose a serious threat to biodiversity, wildlife habitats, natural regeneration, and ecological stability. He urged local communities, tourists, and visitors to avoid activities that could ignite fires, including the careless disposal of cigarette butts, campfires, and other combustible materials.
“Forest fires can cause extensive damage to flora and fauna and spread rapidly under dry and windy conditions,” he warned.
Aqeel Abbasi said the department was closely coordinating with district authorities, Rescue 1122, and local communities to ensure an effective response to fire emergencies.
He warned that strict legal action would be taken against individuals found responsible for deliberately setting forest fires or causing environmental damage through negligence.
Recent incidents in Haripur have resulted in arrests and legal proceedings against suspected arsonists, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to protecting forest resources.
Reiterating the Forest Department’s resolve to safeguard the province’s invaluable forests, he urged the public to immediately report any signs of fire to enable timely intervention.
“Protecting forests is a shared responsibility. Every tree saved today is an investment in a greener and safer future for coming generations,” Aqeel Abbasi said.
As the frequency and intensity of forest fires continue to rise, experts believe society must view them not only as environmental disasters but also as pressing social challenges.
Protecting forests, they stressed, is essential for preserving biodiversity, safeguarding human well-being, strengthening climate resilience, and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
