Shola Lee
TikTokers in Pakistan are being accused of starting forest fires for views.
A strange trend has seen forest fires become the backdrop for viral videos as Pakistan's unprecedented heatwave continues.
Forest fires result from extreme heat and have gotten worse in recent years due to climate change.
Forest fires are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs, however, now accusations are now being made that TikTokers are starting and filming them for views.
The allegations started with Dolly, a content creator who has 11.5 million followers on TikTok.
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In a recent video, which has since been taken down, the TikToker walks down a hill in a formal gown, accompanied by the caption, "Fire erupts wherever I am."
The song in the video also mentions 'setting fire' and you can imagine why people started to get suspicious.
People aired the grievances on Twitter, with Rina Saeed Khan Satti, chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board saying: "This is a disturbing & disastrous trend on TikTok! Young people desperate 4 followers are setting fire to our forests during this hot & dry season! In Australia it is lifetime imprisonment for those who start wildfires. We need to introduce similar legislation @WildlifeBoard."
A police complaint has since been filed against the content creator, as reported by VICE: "The area [filmed] is part of Margalla Hills National Park which has reported multiple incidents of wildfires recently which have damaged the ecosystem."
The content creator denied starting the fire but isn't the only person wrapped up in this controversy, as earlier this month a man in Abbottabad city was arrested for starting a fire to film a video.
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Meanwhile, another video has emerged that appears to show two people starting a forest fire and leaving it as music plays.
Khan Satti also shared that video on Twitter, with the caption: "These psychotic young people have to be caught and put behind bars immediately! If you have any information plz contact @WildlifeBoard."
TikTok has since commented on the controversy, as reported by India Express: "Any content that promotes dangerous or illegal behaviour would be a violation of our community guidelines and is not allowed on our platform.
"We work to either remove, limit, or label content that depicts dangerous or illegal acts. We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and encourage everyone to exercise caution and responsibility in their behaviour whether online or off."
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UNILAD has reached out to TikTok for comment.
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