Syed Ali Shah, Ali Khan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: The spokesperson government of Balochistan, Farah Azeem Shah on Tuesday said the Sherani forest fire was brought under the control after hectic efforts. “Fire extinguished at the Sherani forest”, she said in a statement issued to the press.
Addressing a news conference, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on the Sherani forest fire and federal minister, Maulana Abdul Wasey also confirmed that the fire was extinguished after coordinated efforts by all departments. Chief Secretary Balochistan, Abdul Aziz Uqaili, provincial ministers Noor Muhammad Dumar and others were also present on the occasion. “Fire extinguished after the Iranian firefighting aircraft dropped water and chemicals”, the Maulana informed.
“Trees on more than 30-kilometer forest were burnt”, Bashir Khan Bazai
The fire in the ancient Sherani forest burnt pine and olive trees to ashes. The fire had erupted in the ancient forest on May 18 and it spread fast. “Trees on more than 30-kilometer forest were burnt”, Bashir Khan Bazai, the Commissioner Zhob Division said.
Neighboring country Iran had also joined the efforts to put out the fire. Iran provided a firefighting aircraft to extinguish flames of fire in the ancient forest located in the Koh e Suleman Range.
Pak Army helicopters also made hectic efforts to extinguish roaring flames of fire. The Balochistan government had also established a task force to make sure proper monitoring of the operation underway in the area.
Iran had provided a special firefighting aircraft
“The brotherly country Iran’s support in extinguishing was helpful”, Maulana Wasey stated. Iran had provided a special firefighting aircraft to put out the flames of fire at the request of the federal government.
When asked about the regrowth of the ancient pine trees, the federal minister mentioned that environmentalists on the national level would be consulted to review the re-growth of the ancient pine and olive trees in the Sherani forest.
Yet to another question, he said that the provincial government has already announced compensation for the heirs of the three people who were burnt to death while battling the flames of fire in the ancient forest. The Balochistan government has also announced compensation for the families of the injured in the Sherani forest.
