Burning matchsticks by tourists reason behind forests fires in KP

News Desk

PESHAWAR: Severe heat waves owing to climate change and throwing of burning matchsticks in forests mostly by tourists and communities were major reasons behind forest fires in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

In addition, about 80 percent forests fire incidents were reported in private lands in the province.

These views were expressed by Provincial Minister for Forests, Environment and Wildlife Ishtiaq Urmar in Peshawar on Monday.

In a statement, the minister also claimed that billion tree plantations were mostly saved in the province due to coordinated efforts of the Forest department, Rescue 1122, police and district administration.

 Ishtiaq Urmar further said 12 forest guards had laid down lives while fighting against timber mafia and fire, adding one forest guard has recently died during firefighting incidents.

The minister said as many as 53 persons had lit fire only for TikTok videos; of which 42 accused were arrested. He said noose around timber mafia has been tightened and protected as well as reserved forests were saved from the timber mafia.

Ishtiaq Urmar said the billion trees project should not be politicized as it was a national project. He said the billion trees project has been acknowledged by the international union of conservation of nature (IUCN), World Economic Forum and validated by WFF.