President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed serious concern over rising incidents of forest fires in many parts of Pakistan. He on Sunday said that such fire incidents were causing huge financial loss to nation, depriving the effectees from their livelihood, subjecting the life and properties of the inhabitant at high risk, destroying the local fauna and flora, besides contributing in worsening the negative effects of climate change. The President has observed that most of the forest fire incidents are preventable as 85 percent of wild land fires are caused when the campfires and burning debris are left unattended, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson. He has further said that regrettably, the wild fire disturbs the population of flora and fauna, eliminates the wild animals, destroys the habitats of birds and harms the fertility of the soil which hampers the growth and composition of vegetation, besides increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, resulting in the emission of greenhouse gases. He said that most of the wildfire incident could be prevented by taking simple precautions which included reporting unattended fires to the authorities, extinguishing fire pits and campfires when done, not throwing lit cigarettes out of your moving car, using caution when using flammable liquids and using fireworks in clear areas with no woods nearby. The president advised the concerned authorities to refocus on prevention of wildfire strategies by strengthening coordination across sectors to reduce incidents of wildfire, investing in both fire suppression and prevention, implementing existing fire management techniques, improving wildfire data collection and analysis and by strengthening stakeholders' coordination and preparedness.
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