Syed Ali Shah :
“These burnt pine and olive trees would haunt us forever”, Muhammad Ajmal Sherani, a resident of the Sherani forest said. Roaring flames of fire burnt ancient Chilghoza (pine) and olive trees to ashes in Balochistan’s Sherani district. Residents of the Sherani forest narrate heartbreaking stories about when the fire erupted and they witnessed burning ancient trees.
Flames of fire erupted on May 18 and spread throughout the ancient forest within a few hours. A large number of tribesmen were financially dependent on the forest and the fire deprived them now. “Last year I earned more than 1.1 million rupees by selling Chilghoza”, Allaudin said. “Almost 500 families were financially affected by the forest fire”, Muhammad Ejaz Jaffar, Deputy Commissioner Sherani informed.
The federal and provincial governments have ordered inquiries into the eruption of fire in the forest. “We have also ordered a complete survey of the forest to assess the damages”, Bashir Khan Bazai, the Commissioner Zhob Division told Quetta Voice
Also, Read this: A forest fire claims 3 lives, injured 4: Deputy Commissioner Sherani
He said the civil administration has provided 100 tents to the displaced families because of the forest fire. Although, he said the people are settled back in their mud and stoned-walled houses. “They want to live on their own in the mountains”, Mr. Bazai said.
Salmeen Khapalwak, the founder of the Ashar movement lamented that brutal flames of fire have snatched daily bread from the local treatment. “I demand an impartial inquiry into this fire”, he said. The Ashar movement had also criticized the local forest guards/officers and civil administration for their delayed response in the protection of the ancient forest.
Read this also: Sherani forest fire: CM Bizenjo, Corps Commander arrives in Zhob
People of the area have demanded of the federal and provincial governments to take steps for the regrowth of the trees. “We demand regrowth of our natural asset”, Ali Khan, another tribesman said. Mr. Khan said it was the responsibility of the government to take effective measures to rehabilitate the people and restore their income.
The federal minister for housing Maulana Abdul Wasey who was also appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on the forest fire said the government was considering forming a panel of environmentalists on the national level to review the regrowth of the forest.
Read this also: Sherani forest fire to be put out soon: Spokesperson Balochistan Govt
“We are seriously considering the regrowth of the forest”, Maulana Wasey said.
The fire has burnt ancient trees in an almost 30-kilometer area in the forest, the Commissioner Zhob Division revealed. survey team comprising officials from the forest and wildlife department and civil administration would conduct the survey to assess the damages, he mentioned.
The wildfire in the forest was put out following coordinated efforts by the Pakistan Army, civil administration, forest and wildlife department and an Iranian firefighting jet the other day.
The author is the editor of Quetta Voice https://twitter.com/VoiceQuetta… He can be contacted at @alishahjourno on Twitter
