RAJOURI, Sept. 17 -- Handicrafts Training with Pine (Chir) needles as raw material was conducted in Sunderbani Range with the aim to generate livelihood among local youth and to prevent the forest fires, for which chir pine needles act as fuel.

Every year forest fires occur in Nowshera Forest Division causing loss of forest and wildlife. Collection and processing of needles would help in prevention of forest fires thus averting possible disasters.

The Sunderbani Range of Nowshera Forest Division has already started preparation of handicraft items using Chir Pine Needles and is now training the locals to enable them to take benefit of this skill.

A number of items such as Baskets, Trays and Hats have been made using Chir Pine Needles by...