KP wildfires damage forests, pastures over 14,430 acres in fortnight, reveals report.

PESHAWAR -- Over 200 wildfires damaged forests and pastures over an area of 14,430 acres in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during past two weeks.

Of the 210 wildfire incidents, some 55 blazes have been started intentionally by local people and 12 ascribed to dry weather conditions while the cause of another 143 blazes is unknown, according to a report compiled by the provincial forestry, environment and wildlife department.

These figures are based on daily situation reports generated by the department between May 23 and June 9.

A spokesperson for the department, Latifur Rehman, told Dawn that rumours had been circulating in the affected areas that the government would pay compensation for any damage to forests due to wildfires.

Dept claims 55 of total 210 blazes started by locals

Quoting reports received from divisional forest staff members, he said it was rumoured that the government would pay Rs100,000 for a green tree torched in the forest fire, insisting there was no facts in such reports. He added that these rumours led to the 55 fire incidents started by people.

Mr Rehman said that the department had lodged FIRs and at least 21 persons had been arrested in connection with starting the blazes. He said that the rumours were unfounded and the government had not announced any compensation for trees damaged in wildfires.

He said that the forest department and the district administrations were investigating the causes of the remaining 143 fire incidents to ascertain whether such fires erupted due to human involvement or were caused by dry weather.

The report stated that majority of the blazes were ground fires, in dry grasses, with 68 per cent in communal and private lands and over 73 per cent of the affected area also either communal or private land.

According to the report, rising temperatures, a key indicator of climate change, evaporate more moisture from the ground, drying out the soil, and making vegetation more flammable.

At the same time, winter snow packs are melting about a month earlier, meaning the forests are drier for longer periods of time. As drought and heat continues with rising greenhouse gas emissions, the forestry department expects more wildfires in years ahead.

The report also carries data of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), showing record lesser rains in the previous few months due to changes in the environment pattern.

It states that according to the PMD statistics the national rainfall for March...

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