PJB-2023-191
Events, Causes and Effects of Forest Fire in Different Regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Waseem Ullah
Abstract
The fires endanger the sustainability of the environment in addition to damaging property and endangering human life. There has been a growing rise in the quantity and severity of forest fires across the globe over the last decade. We collected primary and secondary data through a comprehensive interview with locals, government departments such as divisional forest department of each District, wildlife department, and rescue (1122) and a wide survey was conducted to examine the cause and effect of forest fires, in different Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Battagram, Swat, Shangla, Tor Ghar, Mansehra, Haripur, Mohmand, Buner and Khyber Agency. A total of 68 forest fire events reported from different districts of the study area including District Mansehra (20 event), Battgram (18 events), Shangla (9 events), Mohmand (7 events), Swat (5 events), 3 from Torghar, 2 from Lower Dir, 2 from Haripur, 1 from Khyber Agency and 1 event reported from Buner In 2022. Mostly forest fire occurred during the summer season from early of May to late July, this period is the potential time and considered as a breeding season of native fauna. During this study we have been observed the negative effect of forest fire on humans and livestock as four members of a family (three women one man) engulfed by forest fire. Similarly one child burned at Gandoro union council Ajmera. We observed that mostly small sized flora and fauna more effected by forest fire while the habitat of large animals were effected they force to migrate. to avoid the forest fire animals moved towards populated area where wild animals have been killed as evidence of Black bear at Jesol and a Jackal, 2 Indian civets and number of wild boars have been killed by the locals at Shungahari Battamori. Two houses were completely destroyed in forest fire and a village (Ali jan kaprai) which was located on mountain top, Tehsil Chakesar District Shangla were engulfed by a massive forest fire. Majority of locals community believes that most of the forest fire caused by people as people set fire to each other’s forest due to hatred and enmity with each other. Similarly, former clear their land areas from grass to set the fire which leads to forest fire. Government took action against those who involved in forest fire, about 25 FIRs reported to different police stations. One of them is registered in Shumlai police station District Battagram against Raheem Dad Alias Sakandar Son of Ahmad Jee other members of their family. Similarly, Kameen and Rashid arrested by police which involved forest fire in Marghozar District Swat. Mostly forest fire occurred at high altitude of mountains that is why inaccessible to control. Proper control of forest fire and preplanning is needed and local community awareness play a vital role in forest control.
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