Natural gas supply to Mingora and Saidu Sharif (Pakistan) will help to protect rapidly vanishing forest resources in Swat valley, according to forest department officials. The locals get fuel-wood from the forests, which has resulted in rapid deforestation and put a negative impact on the ecology of these areas. Roughly, 1,000 tons of firewood is consumed in the twin towns of Mingora and Saidu Sharif. The officials claimed that the natural gas supply to the Swat district would curtail this huge consumption of firewood.