Wildfire rages through Saleem Bagh forest

MANSEHRA/LOWER DIR: A wildfire broke out in the Saleem Bagh mountain range near Mansehra city on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to plant life and wildlife, while authorities in Lower Dir imposed restrictions under Section 144 in response to a rising number of forest fires reported in the district over the past two weeks.

District Emergency Officer Ibrar Ali said Rescue 1122 teams were working to contain the blaze in the Saleem Bagh forest area. Firefighters and fire tenders were dispatched to the site after the fire spread rapidly through dry grass and accumulated pine needles.

Speaking to reporters, Ali said the fire had moved quickly towards nearby settlements but was prevented from spreading beyond the forest because of the emergency response. In areas at higher elevation where fire tenders could not reach, firefighters used traditional methods to battle the flames.

Ali also urged the public not to discard combustible material in forested areas, saying such fires destroy trees, herbs and shrubs and also kill wildlife.

“Our teams are actively engaged in efforts to extinguish the fire that erupted in Saleem Bagh forests,” District Emergency Officer Ibrar Ali told reporters on Tuesday.

"The fire was rapidly advancing towards nearby residential areas, but the swift response of our teams restricted it to the forested area,” Ali added. “People should avoid throwing or dumping inflammable materials in forests, as such wildfires not only destroy trees, herbs and shrubs but also kill wildlife, which is a fundamental component of biodiversity.”

Section 144 imposed in Lower Dir

Separately, the Lower Dir district administration on Tuesday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and announced a set of preventive restrictions aimed at protecting forests, wildlife and public property.

According to an official notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad, the action followed a report by the divisional forest officer in Timergara, who warned of an increased risk of forest fires, illegal tree cutting and the unauthorised use of chainsaws in various forest areas of the district.

The notification said the situation posed a serious threat to forests, biodiversity, wildlife, public property and human life, making immediate preventive steps necessary. Under the order, the unauthorised use, transport and operation of chainsaws has been banned across the district, especially in forest zones and adjoining localities.

The administration has also prohibited cutting or removing trees without permission from the competent authority. In addition, setting fire to grass, crop residue, bushes or any other combustible material in or near forests has been banned.

The notification said any act that could trigger a forest fire, whether through negligence or deliberate conduct, would be treated as a violation of the order. The restrictions will remain in force for 30 days unless they are withdrawn earlier. Violators will face legal proceedings under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.