PARON (Pajhwok): Fire again erupted in the forest of Norgram district of eastern Nuristan province, engulfing a sizeable area and causing damage to pine nut trees, an official said on Tuesday.
Governor's spokesman Saifuddin Latton told Pajhwok Afghan News that a previous fire which broke out a few days ago in the Gadulak area of Tatin Dara in Norgram district was brought under control with the help of local residents and officials.
But the fire again erupted the previous day and more than 100 villagers and government officials went to the area this morning to control it. Efforts are being made to contain the blaze, he said.
Maulvi Suleiman Ayman, Nuristan's director of agriculture and livestock, said he had shared information with the relevant ministry about the latest fire. He also told Pajhwok Afghan News that local people and officials were working together to put out the blaze.
Hazrat Nabi, a resident of the area, told Pajhwok Afghan News the fire had escalated since the previous day and people were trying to control it. He added the fire damaged a large number of pine nut and other trees.
This is the fourth forest fire in the province since last month, gutting trees on tens of hectares of land.
Forest fires have been reported this month in the Boni area of Wama district, Kantiwa area near Paron and the Sham Dara area of Norgram district, but it remains unknown how the fires broke out.
Local officials say they are investigating why forest fires have increased in the province.
It is worth mentioning that in recent days, forests in Khost and Nangarhar provinces also caught fire.
ma
