Margalla fire exposes performance of CDA, Forest Department
Margalla fire exposes performance of CDA, Forest Department
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: A fire that broke out at Margalla Hills on Wednesday exposed poor performance of the CDA and the Forest Department.The bush fire started near Damn-e-Koh and locals said some 100-150 trees were consumed in it. Declaration of 2009 as the ‘year of environment’ has increased sensitivity of the situation because Margalla fire has welcomed this year. On last Thursday, Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi vowed to conserve natural beauty and habitat of Margalla Hills National Park. He also announced that the ministry would make a comprehensive plan to address environmental issues like forest fires, firewood cutting, misuse of natural resources. Environment Ministry Director-General (DG) Javed Ali Khan on Friday told Daily Times that the ministry had directed the CDA and NWFP Forest Department to take solid steps to fight fires at Margalla Hills. “Government had approved a helicopter and a pilot of Cabinet Division for CDA in case of Margalla fires. Training of the CDA and Forest Department staff on fire fighting had also been approved,” he said, adding these departments had also been given latest fire fighting equipment.Rain doused fire: It is learnt that despite the minister’s announcement of the plan in question and the emergency helicopter, no fire-fighting equipment was used to put out fire on Wednesday as it was doused by rain on Thursday evening.Eyewitnesses said the CDA staff reached the scene with a delay of many hours and tried to extinguish the fire by putting water buckets on it. They said despite all of their efforts, the fire kept spreading fast. Forest Department officials said the fire could be an attempt to cover up tree theft in which involvement of the CDA and the Forest Department could not be ruled out. They suspected that locals could also start the fire because they cut trees illegally.Nominal damage: CDA Member (Environment) Mazhar Hussain said no helicopter or latest fire fighting gadgets were given to the CDA. He said the fire was controlled within a couple of hours and a very nominal damage was done to trees. Margalla Police Station has registered FIR of the case on a report of the CDA against unknown people under section 435 of Pakistan Penal Code.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\01\17\story_17-1-2009_pg11_7
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: A fire that broke out at Margalla Hills on Wednesday exposed poor performance of the CDA and the Forest Department.The bush fire started near Damn-e-Koh and locals said some 100-150 trees were consumed in it. Declaration of 2009 as the ‘year of environment’ has increased sensitivity of the situation because Margalla fire has welcomed this year. On last Thursday, Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi vowed to conserve natural beauty and habitat of Margalla Hills National Park. He also announced that the ministry would make a comprehensive plan to address environmental issues like forest fires, firewood cutting, misuse of natural resources. Environment Ministry Director-General (DG) Javed Ali Khan on Friday told Daily Times that the ministry had directed the CDA and NWFP Forest Department to take solid steps to fight fires at Margalla Hills. “Government had approved a helicopter and a pilot of Cabinet Division for CDA in case of Margalla fires. Training of the CDA and Forest Department staff on fire fighting had also been approved,” he said, adding these departments had also been given latest fire fighting equipment.Rain doused fire: It is learnt that despite the minister’s announcement of the plan in question and the emergency helicopter, no fire-fighting equipment was used to put out fire on Wednesday as it was doused by rain on Thursday evening.Eyewitnesses said the CDA staff reached the scene with a delay of many hours and tried to extinguish the fire by putting water buckets on it. They said despite all of their efforts, the fire kept spreading fast. Forest Department officials said the fire could be an attempt to cover up tree theft in which involvement of the CDA and the Forest Department could not be ruled out. They suspected that locals could also start the fire because they cut trees illegally.Nominal damage: CDA Member (Environment) Mazhar Hussain said no helicopter or latest fire fighting gadgets were given to the CDA. He said the fire was controlled within a couple of hours and a very nominal damage was done to trees. Margalla Police Station has registered FIR of the case on a report of the CDA against unknown people under section 435 of Pakistan Penal Code.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\01\17\story_17-1-2009_pg11_7
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