Syed Ali Shah, Abdul Rehman Musakhail :
QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo has asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to provide helicopters to extinguish the flames of fire in the ancient Musakhail forest.
The forest caught fire a week ago in Musakhail’s sub tehsil Zamrai. So far, the authorities have not been able to put off roaring flames of fire. The forest caught fire near Sangar, Tor Ghar, and other areas.
“NDMA should be contacted to provide helicopters to control the fire”, Chief Minister said. The CM had also directed Secretary Forest and Wildlife and Commissioner Loralai Division to make all possible efforts to extinguish the flames of fire.
CM directs Chief Secretary to take action against the officials who demonstrated negligence
The CM however directed the Chief Secretary Balochistan to take any action against the officials who demonstrated negligence to control the fire timely. The attitude of the Forest Department, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and District Administration in this regard is intolerable, the CM said.
“The fire has completely burnt pine trees”, Janat Khan, a resident of the area told Quetta Voice via telephone. He said these trees were the only source of income for the local people.
Mr. Bizenjo stated that forests play a crucial role in the improvement of the ecosystem in the area. “Such ancient forests must be protected and guarded”, CM Balochistan said.
People of the area term delayed response by the administration as the main reason
However, people of the area complained that delayed response on the part of the concerned authorities was also one of the reasons behind the destruction of the forest. “We tried on our own to extinguish the fire but failed to do so”, Naseeb Khan, another resident of the area said. He lamented that had the authorities arrived on time, the forest would have been protected.
The CM has however directed the concerned authorities to double their efforts to put off the flames of fire and submit a report in this regard. “Use all available resources to control the fire”, Mr. Bizenjo said.
