Torghar admin moves to check wildfires

MANSEHRA: The district administration of Torghar has imposed a ban on the burning of grass, herbs, and trees in forests in an effort to prevent wildfires to protect both human and wildlife.

“Due to recent changes in the weather pattern in the district, we are expecting a large influx of natives temporarily returning from Karachi and Lahore. Wildfires could pose serious threats to valuable forests and human lives,” said an order issued by the deputy commissioner of Torghar on Tuesday.

The notification also stated that lighting fires during camping and tourism activities or at any other time in local forests is strictly prohibited across the district in line with directives issued earlier by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forestry, Environment, and Wildlife Department.

“I, Safdar Azam Quraishi, Deputy Commissioner of Torghar, in the exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of the CrPC, hereby impose a complete ban on setting fire to grass, trees, and shrubs and lighting fires during camping activities in forested areas of the district,” the order declared.