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TikToker Dolly's forest fire video background is igniting anger — and rightfully so

TikToker Dolly's forest fire video background is igniting anger — and rightfully so

The flames of bad publicity can be fanned, the flames of global warming — not so much.
Updated 21 May, 2022

TikTok is a name that can often cause faces to scrunch up when it comes up in a crowded room. So when a TikToker poses in front of an already depleted natural resource set on fire for mere likes, it baffles even the supporters of the social media platform.

On May 17, Nosheen Saeed, popularly known as Dolly on her social platforms, posted a clip of herself on TikTok walking playfully in a silver ball gown with a burning hillside on Margalla Hills as the backdrop, captioned, “Fire erupts wherever I am.”

Being a public figure with over 11 million followers on the video-focused app, a blow-up was inevitable and blow up it did. Her audacious reel prompted a public outcry on multiple social media platforms where the discussion started with the damage a forest fire causes, particularly its environmental impact during one of the most intense heatwaves the country has been undergoing. A conversation started about the "hunger for fame and likes" destroying the "future generation".

The clip went viral and the matter quickly gained traction with some influential figures also throwing their opinions into the mix. Celebrities such as model Mathira and actors Ahmed Ali Butt and Mariyam Nafees spoke up on the issue.

Saeed herself did not see the problem with her video — she later said in a clarification released by an assistant that she did not start the fire and there was “no harm in making videos”.

Video-sharing application TikTok, however, did see an issue with the clip and released a statement on Wednesday, saying that any content that promotes "dangerous" or "illegal" behaviour is a violation of its community guidelines.

Impact

Witnessing such ignorant behaviour on anyone's part while living in a world that's constantly reminding its inhabitants that we are in a climate crisis that is only going to go downhill from here is just nerve-wracking. While it is true that there is a lack of awareness where the long-term impacts of climate change are concerned, the consequences are already here.

Global warming is not a faraway prediction, global warming is here — global warming is now.

What's more is that even if people don't understand the technicality of it, the current heatwave Pakistan is experiencing is bringing a demonstration, a live experience for those who don't want to toy with theory.

Let's also not forget that the damage a forest fire can cause is magnanimous. The loss of wildlife, the toxic fumes devastating the air quality and the deforestation alone carries ten other losses. To try and risk all of that for some background effect in the advanced age of green screen technology and photoshop is nothing short of foolish and unnecessary.

Itsy bitsy TikTok

TikTok keeps spiraling down the rabbit hole of a ban. The public perception of the video-sharing app is already in dire need of reparation because even though its image has been limited to a dance and cringeworthy lip-sync content, it explores a wide range of topics and is a source of not only entertainment but also information, education and just a good way to keep up with the world.

When TikTokers keep landing themselves in situations that worsen this image allowing more opportunities for backlash, it gives way to takedowns. Even if the issue is taken outside the context of TikTok, it is still a huge deal considering the following these influencers have — they actually do influence. So using their power for good is of utmost importance.

Resolution time

It is undeniable that using nature as a prop in such a damaging manner is extremely concerning and needs to be dealt with a response other than penalty. The current situation has netizens calling for only punishments such as a TikTok ban or a TikToker ban, or even a fine plus arrest. Time and again, however, it has been proven that bans don't actually address the root cause and only suppress the issue at hand.

It would do more good to target the root of the matter so the realisation of the dire impacts themselves become a stopping force for the people.

Comments

Hanif May 18, 2022 06:38pm
does she know may be not because it doesn't look like that she reads news. Brush fires cost billions every year in USA. How dumb can someone be.
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insaafian May 18, 2022 06:38pm
Plastic queens destroying Pakistan
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Tadka May 18, 2022 06:57pm
The woman got her publicity..anyway who are her followers...follow what exactly !!
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Jigen.m19 May 18, 2022 06:58pm
No action will be taken against her. She will turn out to be the daughter of a well connected person
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Soniye Tu Auder Te La May 18, 2022 06:59pm
TikTok should delete her account for breaking local Pakistani Jungle Laws.
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SKF May 18, 2022 07:01pm
Putting fire in Forest is a really criminal offense and must be punished with life imprisonment!
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Shan May 18, 2022 07:06pm
How about just simply unfollow the tik tokers for anything which violates the law.
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ST May 18, 2022 07:07pm
Ban tiktok in Pakistan. Or at least these cheap tiktokers
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Mr right May 18, 2022 07:08pm
Botox ghost should be thrown behind bars!
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Rizwan May 18, 2022 07:19pm
Best is un-follow her if anyone is sincere in criticism. Get followers goes down.
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Ifti Malik May 18, 2022 07:43pm
Please permanently ban Tik Tok in Pakistan. And put these Dolly type idiots behind bars for a few weeks to cool them off .
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F Khan May 18, 2022 07:57pm
Unsubscribe and don’t give these tik tokers clicks. This is the best reply.
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Dawar Hussain May 18, 2022 08:02pm
Jb 11 million gadhay is gadhi ko follow karain gain to fame k liye ye jungle kya mulk ko hi aag laga degi. Us pe isay kuch ghalat hi nazar nahi aa raha
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Rizwan May 18, 2022 08:14pm
Sadly nothing can be done about these attention seeking youth. Even if you punish them they'll never learn and keep on doing stunts for more views.
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nk May 18, 2022 08:15pm
These are the dumb fools in the country and urgently need some good academic and moral education.
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nk May 18, 2022 08:17pm
All those 90% who are follower of this kind of material on social media for sure are in a life without purpose.
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Sab May 18, 2022 08:18pm
Arson is no joke! She should be punished/jailed!
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Truth be told May 18, 2022 08:19pm
Is the fire secondary to the hydrogen sulfide like gases she produced after having chillies?
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Ahmad May 18, 2022 08:19pm
She should be held accountable and the cost of putting out the fires should come out of her pocket. This should an example for people to not destroy the nature and property for personal gain.
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AAJ May 18, 2022 08:33pm
Enough comments and rightfully, but where is the FIR?
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Niaz H. Jafri May 18, 2022 08:41pm
She & her helpers must be sent to jail at the earliest possible.
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lion May 18, 2022 08:42pm
all those critising will now replicate something and eat off her video. digital media has messed up societies. and PTI govt was too weak and will be weak
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Alex May 18, 2022 08:59pm
She can say it’s her jism her Marzi loool
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Ali Mehdi May 18, 2022 10:22pm
Nature is not just for one country. It’s universal. If someone is trying to harm it that person is causing harm to all human beings. I think letting this n similar videos Tik Tok is committing an act that is totally against the public policy. People that post such recording should be banned for life.
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Sam May 18, 2022 10:24pm
What an irresponsible and shameful act! No clue about ecology! She should be jailed for damaging the environment and required to pay damages for the restoration of trees lost! There should the park police which should prevent such incidences in Islamabad and all over the country!
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Aman May 18, 2022 10:58pm
Jahil & highly uneducated act!!!!
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M. Saeed May 18, 2022 11:00pm
Stupid girl is in highly vulgar dance and hugely enhanced getup.
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Jameel Ahmed May 18, 2022 11:45pm
If the rule of law has fallen that low that it can not stop a tiktoker from burning our most valued forests, then how on earth we will punish bigger criminals?
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Jameel Ahmed May 18, 2022 11:46pm
Millions follow this clearly low IQ person for whom only thing that matters most is publicity.
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Adam May 19, 2022 02:02am
She along with her whoever gave her such a dumb idea should be made an example of. Her Cheap act has serious precautions for environment not just for us but for wildlife as well.
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Taj May 19, 2022 03:30am
Share stupidity
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SS May 19, 2022 05:12am
She needs to be arrested. Period. This is not a "learning" moment...this is a "you really screwed up, and need to pay the price" moment.
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Ping May 19, 2022 05:12am
Ask her to lose some weight!
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syed javed afzal May 19, 2022 05:23am
This is total madness, need to be arrested to make an example. Somebody please bring her to court.
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Qaiser May 19, 2022 06:28am
I am shell shocked....it would have made more sense if she had posted a clip trying to wipe out or control the fire....but then these selfproclaimed celebrities would go an extra mile to garner cheap publicity
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THE May 19, 2022 06:29am
Life imprisonment in Australia ! People should go register as many FIRs etc as they can against her. I know, I would if I lived in the area.
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JS May 19, 2022 07:03am
Wannabes ... mindless walking idiots strutting upon two feet, thinking nothing, seeing nothing, entertaining about what: their dumbness. Fools!
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Mukhtar May 19, 2022 08:40am
Obviously she seem unaware of the damage she is causing and consequences of this heinous crime. I think dumb or stupid is enough for these kind of people, burning the forest is like damaging our lungs because greenery and forest provide us the oxygen to breath. People should awake and stop supporting this TikToker.
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SHAHID LATIF May 19, 2022 09:32am
It is unnecessary criticism of an artistic mind. We can let go.
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Uyghyr ahmadi May 19, 2022 09:44am
@ST Pakistan doesn’t have the guts to do what india did.
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Rahil Kidwai May 19, 2022 10:18am
@Tadka They follow headlights
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Nadeem Shah May 19, 2022 10:58am
Low IQ person...
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Sanaa May 19, 2022 11:18am
@Rizwan she's no youth... She's at least in her late 40s if not early 50s
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 19, 2022 12:12pm
Height of ignorance, shamelessness, eccentricity, inwardness, illiteracy, ruthless behavior, self-centeredness, brutality, ego-centric attitude, deceit and deception.
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ZAHEER AHMED May 19, 2022 12:45pm
Action will be taken against the dolly cause he has done like wise illegal thing it's and Tik Tok should bane in Pakistan cause it will destroy our new generation
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M. Saeed May 19, 2022 01:00pm
What a big and nasty publicity on worst ever tactic !
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Khan May 19, 2022 03:51pm
She needs to be banned from TikTok. Such an irresponsible shameless act just for her profits. She needs to pay for it by TikTok blocking her account.
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Dhinchack May 19, 2022 04:57pm
Humaira Asghar: Human form of Plastic.
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Dhinchack May 19, 2022 04:58pm
@Sanaa "Nice chilly age".
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The Truth Spy May 19, 2022 05:05pm
People are waiting for so-called chief justice of Pakistan to take soooooo moootoo action
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Ramay May 20, 2022 08:55pm
The stupid lady is the main culprit source of temperature hike in Pakistan,she must be behind the bars.
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