ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the forests in its capital city are burning due to suspicions of organisational competition in villages and locals setting fires on purpose in order to gain firefighting positions. Some teenagers are even doing it for the sake of social media popularity, particularly on Tiktok.
Such instances occur right beneath the noses of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), and both organisations appeared to be unaware of the most recent purposeful fire incidents until footage surfaced on social media lately.
A screenshot from a viral video supposedly showing two teenagers starting fires in the Margalla Hills. Officials said the pair is still missing.
On Margalla Hills, two young TikTokers set fire to the forest with a lighter. Another viral social media video featured a model and TikToker named Doli performing in front of a fire in a forest that has yet to be identified but is thought to be either Kahuta or Islamabad.
Islamabad: Pakistani famous tiktoker "dolly" sets Margala hills forest on fire for making a tiktok video. Police has filed FIR against the tiktoker. pic.twitter.com/b6h8scVLB0
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) May 17, 2022
Earlier, another TikToker set fire to the forests near Abbottabad and was apprehended by wildlife officers.
The incidents elicited considerable condemnation and outrage.
“This intentional fire attempt is a criminal act.”
“It’s also carelessness on the side of the government,” stated International Islamic University Islamabad professor Dr. Mohammad Irfan. “This type of fun fire can spread across the forest, resulting in serious repercussions.”
He stated that it was past time for all stakeholders — the government, its ministries, and the general people — to recognise the environment as a key concern for the country.
“Every year, flames rage in the Margalla Hills, yet the appropriate authorities appear to be unconcerned about maintaining and protecting biodiversity,” he remarked. “The world is commemorating International Day for Biological Diversity [on May 22], and look at our youth’s lack of knowledge… they are lighting woods on fire for fun.”
The CDA purportedly filed an application with Kohsar police station against Doli after receiving criticism on social media, asking for an inquiry into the situation and legal action against the model. However, no charges have been brought against the two minors.
Every summer, the Margalla Hills National Park, which spans 31,000 acres, is the site of multiple fires that harm both trees and wildlife. During the current season, two huge fires erupted on Sunday and Monday in Margallas’ Saidpur range and Chinari region.
Every year, the CDA and IWMB issue notifications to set up picket lines and deploy forest guards for patrolling in order to avoid fires, yet fires have become an annual occurrence.
During the fire season, the CDA provided temporary firefighting jobs to the locals, and it appeared that individuals who were unable to find work deliberately set fire to the trees.
The CDA and IWMB have previously clashed over management of the Margalla Hills National Park, and there are also fears that its employees may have been engaged in fire accidents, which both organisations deny.
However, IWMB chairman Rina Saeed Khan emphasised that this time, both departments were on the same page.
“There are no longer any disagreements between us [the CDA and the IWMB].” “We had a joint meeting in February and are currently working on fire prevention,” she explained.
“We are operating efficiently by utilising existing resources.” “Our guards and employees [approximately 70 people] are doing their jobs diligently,” she claimed, admitting that 90 percent of fires are intentional.
The provincial police recognised one of the young people in the viral footage as a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The CDA and IWMB are in contact with KP police.” One of the defendants has been identified and will be detained shortly. “We are investigating whether the fire occurred within Islamabad’s boundaries or in the KP area,” she said, adding that action will be taken against both teenagers.
Works at The Truth International Magazine. My area of interest includes international relations, peace & conflict studies, qualitative & quantitative research in social sciences, and world politics. Reach@ [email protected]
