80pc forests' fire incidents reported in KP's private lands: Minister.

PESHAWAR -- Provincial Minister for Forests, Environment and Wildlife, Syed Ishtiaq Urmar has said that about eighty percent forests' fire incidents were reported in private lands in Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

He said severe heat waves owing to climate change, throwing of burning matchsticks in forests mostly by tourists and communities were major reasons behind forest fire in Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

In a statement here, the minister claimed that billion tree plantations were mostly saved in Khyber Pakthunkhwa due to coordinated efforts of the Forest Department, RESCUE 1122, Police and District Administration.

He said 12 forest guards had laid down lives while fighting against timber mafia and fire, adding one forest guard has recently died during fire...