Come summer, bush fires are increasingly becoming a regular feature of the Margalla Hills that surround much of Islamabad. They have been so frequent this month that smoke has almost become part of the skyline of the otherwise picturesque Margalla Road that runs between the hills on one side and some sprawling residences of the federal capital on the other.
This Tuesday, two incidents of bush fire were reported from the Margallas, which act as a natural boundary between Punjab and Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa (formerly North West Frontier Province). A rough count estimates that at least a dozen fires have broken out in the Margallas already. And summer was late this year.
To contain bush fires, fire trails have been made along several stretches of the Margallas. These have served their purpose in localising the flames and also double up as great climbing routes for the more determined trekkers who frequent the various trails despite the scorching heat and security alerts.
This year some Westerners were mugged on one of the trails but, given the limited avenues for outdoor activity in the federal capital, the Margallas remain a big draw; come rain, sun or fire.
