Daily Times

Margalla Hills have, for the past few years, been making headlines, not because of their lush green cover but due to a seemingly neverending ranging inferno of forest fires. This environmental catastrophe has raised serious concerns about the sustainability and preservation of these precious forests.

According to reports from the local authorities, the fires have consumed thousands of acres of lush greenery, wildlife habitats, and vital ecological resources. Dark clouds rising from not one, not two but 15 different locations on hiking trails in a single day, and the resulting loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services is immeasurable.

The fires have also resulted in significant air pollution, exacerbating respiratory illnesses and posing a health risk to the local population. The acrid smoke and smog have enveloped the region, casting a dark shadow over the once pristine landscapes of the Margalla Hills.

Nevertheless, much more is needed than ordering inquiries. It is heartening to see the government rise to action but it is not a walk in the park to take action against illegal land encroachments, deforestation, and unregulated development.

Remember, when a social media influencer had set fire to large scathes of forest cover for views on TikTok? This impunity, which emboldens countless individuals to twist mother nature however they wish needs to be controlled to ensure the efficacy of the environmental laws.

Rigorous investigations should be conducted to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the rampant destruction of our natural heritage. The culprits must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law to deter future acts of environmental vandalism.

That Margalla Hills needs to be protected from the wrath of humans is no understatement but lasting progress can only occur if the government joins hands with non-profit organizations and community stakeholders to address the root causes of the fires and develop sustainable solutions. *