Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday reviewed preparedness measures to prevent forest fires in the Margalla Hills ahead of the upcoming fire season. The meeting, held at CDA headquarters, was chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and attended by officials from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Ministry of Climate Change, and other relevant departments.
Officials briefed the chairman on existing arrangements and plans to respond to fire incidents in the Margalla Hills National Park. They said additional staff would be temporarily hired ahead of the fire season, fire lines were being cleared, and monitoring mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure timely detection and response. The number of monitoring pickets will also be increased, with clear responsibilities assigned to staff for more effective surveillance.
Randhawa directed that personnel from CDA, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, and the district administration work as a coordinated unit. He also instructed officials to prepare clear job descriptions and organise training programmes to enhance the capacity of emergency and disaster management staff.
Safety equipment, including fireballs and fire extinguishers, was confirmed to be in place, while authorities were advised to coordinate with neighbouring districts to prevent fires from spreading into the federal capital.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing tree plantation campaign in Islamabad, noting that trees taller than six feet were being planted to improve survival rates. Students, civil society groups, and the corporate sector are actively participating in the drive, which aims to protect Islamabad’s environment and enhance the capital’s green cover.
The CDA chairman emphasised that these measures are intended to preserve the natural beauty and greenery of the Margalla Hills while ensuring effective response to emergencies during the fire season.
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