Forest fires test KP's fighting ability to protect green gold amid rising heat

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jun, 2026) As the summer sun beats down on the pine-covered hills of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a faint curl of smoke rising from a mountainside is often enough to send forest officials into a race against time.

In many cases, it begins with something as small as a carelessly discarded cigarette butt or an unattended campfire that causes huge financial losses to Govt kitty.

Within minutes, flames can sweep through dry undergrowth, turning towering pine trees into blackened skeletons and silencing forests that took decades to grow in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

For communities living near these forests especially in Hazara and Malakand divisions, every wildfire is more than an environmental problem rather a damage to wildlife and bees habitats.

It is a painful reminder that the province's green gold especially its forests, wildlife, clean air and water resources is increasingly under threat from human negligence, rising temperatures and climate change.

From the lush valleys of Swat and Chitral to the rugged mountains of Kohistan and the pine forests of Nathiagali in Abbottabad, thousands of hectares of woodland remain vulnerable during the scorching summer months when dry vegetation provides ideal fuel for rapidly spreading fires.

Former Conservator of Forests Gulzar Rehman believes most forest fires are preventable subject: to preventive measures.

"Carelessly thrown cigarette butts by tourists are among the leading causes of forest fires in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he told APP.

"Even campfires or cooking fires left unattended in recreational areas can quickly spread during hot and dry weather, reducing valuable timber resources to ashes."

He said what was once considered an occasional seasonal phenomenon has now evolved into a major social and environmental challenge requiring immediate government attention.

"The damage is not limited to trees. Forest fires destroy wildlife habitats, affect water resources, damage biodiversity and directly impact communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods," he added.

Environmental experts said the growing frequency of wildfires reflects a dangerous combination of climate change and human carelessness.

Former Director General of the Wildlife Department, Dr. Mumtaz Malik, said natural factors such as lightning, prolonged drought and extreme heat can ignite fires, but human activities account for a significant number of incidents.

"Careless campfires, discarded cigarette butts, agricultural burning and deliberate acts of arson remain among the leading causes of forest fires," he said.

According to Dr. Mumtaz, every major blaze leaves behind consequences that extend far beyond scorched trees.

"When forests burn, birds lose their nesting grounds, wild animals abandon their habitats, and even bee populations migrate in search of safer environments. Such disruption affects pollination, agriculture and the entire ecological balance."

He warned that Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change has further intensified this threat.

"Rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells have created conditions that allow fires to spread much faster across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's forests," he observed.

The consequences are felt long after the flames are extinguished. Thick smoke pollutes the air, carbon emissions accelerate global warming, mountain slopes become prone to erosion, and damaged watersheds reduce the forests' ability to conserve water.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

Families living near forests often face property losses, displacement and health problems caused by smoke.

The financial cost of forests fire is equally significant for economic shabby Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Every year, the provincial government spends millions of rupees on firefighting operations, rehabilitation efforts and disaster relief. Tourism suffers as scenic destinations lose their natural beauty, while communities dependent on forests for fuelwood, medicinal plants, honey and other non-timber products face declining incomes.

"In many developing regions, forest fires deepen poverty by depriving local people of food, fuel and livelihood opportunities," Dr. Mumtaz said.

Recognising the growing threat, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department has intensified surveillance in vulnerable forest ranges.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Haripur Aqeel Abbasi said forest protection teams, field staff and local volunteers remain on high alert throughout the fire season.

"Immediate firefighting measures are being undertaken to contain blazes and prevent their spread to adjoining forest compartments," he said.

The forest department is working in close coordination with district administrations, Rescue 1122 and local communities to ensure rapid response to fire emergencies.

"Forest fires pose a serious threat to biodiversity, wildlife habitats, natural regeneration and ecological stability. We urge tourists and local communities to avoid activities that could ignite fires, including careless disposal of cigarette butts and unattended campfires."

Abbasi warned that strict legal action would continue against those found responsible for deliberately setting forest fires or causing environmental damage through negligence.

He said that recent incidents in Haripur had already resulted in arrests and legal proceedings against suspected arsonists, demonstrating the government's resolve to protect forest resources.

"Protecting forests is a shared responsibility," he said. "Every tree saved today is an investment in a greener and safer future for coming generations."

Experts believed technology must now complement traditional forest protection efforts. Satellite monitoring, drone surveillance, early warning systems and community-based fire watch networks can significantly improve early detection and response, reducing damage before fires become uncontrollable.

However, they agreed that technology alone cannot solve the problem unless cooperation by people and relevant stakeholders.

Changing public behavior remains the most effective defence. Awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, responsible tourism and active community participation are all essential to safeguarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's forests.

As another hot summer unfolds, every visitor carrying a matchstick, every camper lighting a fire and every traveller tossing away a cigarette bears a responsibility that extends beyond a single picnic or journey.

For once a forest is reduced to ashes, nature may need decades to heal. Protecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's green gold is therefore not merely about saving trees but it is about preserving biodiversity, securing livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience and ensuring that future generations inherit mountains clothed in green rather than scarred by fire.