From Our Correspondent:
Shirani, Balochistan – June 11, 2025: A devastating wildfire has erupted in the ecologically rich olive forests of Shinghar and Sappar mountains in Balochistan’s Shirani district, marking a significant blow to Pakistan’s already fragile environmental landscape. The fire, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, has engulfed multiple acres of protected forest land, threatening critical biodiversity and posing serious climate change implications.
Despite the severity of the situation, there has been no immediate response from the Forest Department or emergency wildfire response units. As the blaze continues to spread unchecked, local residents—lacking proper wildfire training or equipment—are risking their lives in an attempt to control the flames.
Experts warn that the destruction of these natural olive forests, some of the oldest in South Asia, could result in irreversible environmental loss, negatively impacting carbon sequestration, soil preservation, and regional rainfall patterns.
Local leaders and affected communities have called on the Government of Balochistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and federal climate resilience agencies to act immediately. Without urgent intervention, the wildfire may destroy not only valuable natural resources but also local agricultural livelihoods tied to olive production.
Environmentalists emphasize that wildfire insurance policies, disaster preparedness programs, and reforestation initiatives must be prioritized to prevent such climate-induced disasters in the future.
This incident exposes glaring gaps in Pakistan’s environmental protection strategy, with climate adaptation funding, disaster response infrastructure, and government accountability now at the forefront of public concern.
