CHUNIAN - Fire broke out again Monday in the Changa Manga forest, exposing negligence on the part of officials concerned.
The Forest officials revived the statement that it was an accident though it was the third day when the fire erupted. This time too the fire was “extinguished” after it reduced everything to ashes.
It is quite dramatic that the incident of fire has been taking place at a plot where there are no trees at all and where only the traces of “timber mafia” are present.
However, the authorities concerned have been dragging their feet over the matter.
When contacted, the DFO denied the incident first. But, he admitted the happening when his attention was drawn to an application filed by him with the Changa Manga police for the investigation into incident.
He cited a “cigarette” as the reason behind the fire breakout. He also attempted to downplay the issue, saying that the forest guards were not responsible for cigarettes.
“Each forest guard is in-charge of 2600-3000 acres. They have to do more than to control fire.”
He said the fire was “an accident and that must not be painted as a deliberate action”.
Venting his rage over highlighting the issue, the DFO alleged the media is blackmailing forest authorities for “no reason”. Asked about the destruction of forest and timber mafia, he said that he alone was not “responsible.”
He went on: “I can’t stop all this. I am fed up with the media follow-ups and I don’t bother what media reports.”
“The media prints against Zardari, Altaf etc. What have they done to them? I know how to handle the media.”
Sports festival opened: The Punjab Sports Festival was opened at Dring Stadium here on Monday.
MPA Haji Zulfiqar Ali was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony. He assured complete support for the promotion of sports in the area, saying that these kind of activities would play a major role in forming a healthy society which, according to him, was a mission of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had been committed to uplift of remote areas of the province and welfare of the public, particularly, the youth.
A number of athletes from union councils in the City are taking part in the sports event.