Bhimber: In the Samahni Valley, the forests of Baghser Block and Bandala Beat have been engulfed by flames.
The intense heat and blazing sun have exacerbated the situation, raising temperatures even further. It is suspected that malicious and environmentally destructive individuals have deliberately set the lush green forests on fire.
In response to the fire, forest officers, personnel, local youth from civil society, and army soldiers have joined forces to extinguish the blaze. According to the focal person of the Samahni Forest Department, upon receiving the report of the fire in the Baghser Bandala Block, Mirpur Forest Department Conservator Bilal Ahmed Awan, DFOs Raja Zahid Hussain, Raja Noman Akbar, range officers, foresters, and forest guards promptly arrived at the scene and began efforts to control the fire.
Local youth from the Rakha Youth Force Bandala, including Raja Junaid and Raja Umar, as well as civil society members and Pakistan Army personnel, also participated in the relief efforts, providing water and other essential supplies to the firefighters.
Public and social circles have expressed concern over the increasing incidents of forest fires in the Samahni Valley. They have demanded that the perpetrators of these acts be identified and severely punished.
Additionally, residents near the forests, civil society, and the youth are urged to step forward and play their part in protecting the forests.
