Admn takes notice of insect attack on pine forest in Adenzai

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: The Lower Dir administration on Thursday took notice of the insect attack on pine forest at Tarnao in Adenzai and directed the locals to avoid birds’ hunting in the area and burn the grass and other shrubs.

The Deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan directed the divisional forest officer and officials of agriculture department to immediately visit the affected forest and find out solution to the problem. Former tehsil naibnazim hailing from the area Islam Khan told this reporter that so far thousands of pine trees and other shrubs had been affected by the insect. He said the insect attack had started during summer due to drought like situation in the area. He said whole of the forest would be damaged if the administration did not take practical steps to prevent the forest.

The DFO Lower DirIjazurRehman along with community development officer AbidHussain and Adenzai circle SDFO visited the affected forest raised in 1996 adjacent to agricultural land and met with the farmers. The team inspected the insect and affected foliage. It declared the damage as an insect attack. Talking to elders of local community the DFO said that samples of the insect and affected pine leaves would be sent to laboratory for further investigation. He said that due to pesticide sprays and insect repellent in nearby farms the insect had diverted to the forest that feed on foliage of pine trees and other shrubs. The DFO said that it was a little damage only to the leaves while the barks and branches were safe. He said that after the rainfall the foliage would be regenerated. The official said the insects would spread to other adjacent areas if not controlled on early stage. He however said the insect would die by April or May this year.

The Lower Dir deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan directed the forest and agriculture field staff launch a control burning of grass and shrubs in supervision of the SDFO and owners of the forest to wipe out the insect on sunny days. The locals were asked to avoid birds’ hunting in the valley for possible biological control of the insect.