Wildfires, Logging Devastate Murree’s Forest Cover

APP

Rawalpindi: The residents of Murree have urged the Punjab government to take decisive action to protect the region’s forests, which have been severely impacted by wildfires and the activities of the timber mafia.

Locals report that wildfires are among the leading causes of forest loss in the region. With the arrival of both summer and winter seasons, vast expanses of coniferous forests in Murree and its neighboring areas, including Galyat, are ravaged by fires many of which are reportedly set deliberately by the timber mafia to conceal illegal logging operations.

Over the years, this has led to the loss of thousands of valuable trees, including deodar and pine, as well as the disappearance of rare wildlife species.

Zahoor Abbasi, a resident of Phagwari, highlighted that the protection of Murree’s forests was once a top priority for past governments.

He recalled that during the British era, strict measures were implemented to prevent deforestation and conserve the area’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Similarly, former President Ayub Khan introduced significant forest preservation initiatives during 1964-65.

These included providing free kerosene stoves to locals to reduce their reliance on firewood and establishing the Soil Conservation Department along with numerous horticultural nurseries in the region.

Additionally, thousands of fruit trees, such as apples, apricots, and plums, were distributed to promote horticulture and ease pressure on forest resources.

Abbasi lamented that despite these efforts, recent years have seen a decline in forest conservation efforts.

In 2006, General Pervez Musharraf’s government launched a gasification project aimed at providing locals with an alternative energy source to combat deforestation.

However, the initiative benefited only a small section of Murree’s urban population, leaving most residents dependent on firewood from the forests.

Sajid Mahmood, a local leader, pointed out that the rising cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has further compelled residents to resort to cutting down trees for fuel.

Zafar Javed, a resident of Goi Sehhar Bagla, accused the timber mafia and certain locals of setting fires to cover up illegal logging activities or to create fresh grazing areas for livestock.

He also alleged that Forest Department staff were either frequently absent or complicit in illegal activities.

Professor Ashfaq Kaleem emphasized the urgency of preserving Murree’s natural beauty, which he warned is deteriorating rapidly.

He proposed several solutions to address the crisis, including:

Community Engagement: Educating locals about fire prevention and involving them in monitoring systems.

Reforestation Projects: Restoring lost forest cover through afforestation initiatives.

Strengthening Laws: Enforcing stricter penalties against illegal logging.

Improving Resources: Equipping Forest Department staff with modern tools and techniques for fire management and ensuring 24/7 surveillance during peak fire seasons.

Alternative Energy Solutions: Exploring the use of pine leaves as an energy source to reduce reliance on firewood.

Kaleem called on the government to take immediate and effective action to protect Murree’s forests and safeguard its ecological and aesthetic heritage for future generations.