Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the forest department and other relevant authorities regarding the encroachment of 24,000 acres of forest land by influential individuals in Sindh. The notices followed a miscellaneous petition filed by Ali Nawaz Unar, a concerned citizen, highlighting the illegal occupation of forest land in Gambat and SobhoDero. The petition alleges that these influential figures are profiting significantly from cultivating the encroached land.
During the court proceedings, the Secretary of the Forest and Wildlife Department appeared and submitted a report on the payment of carbon credit funds from foreign companies. The court has directed that assistance be sought from the Rangers and the concerned sessions judge to address the encroachment issue.
The bench noted that other provinces, such as KP and Punjab, have established forces for forest protection and suggested that similar measures be considered for Sindh. The Secretary of Forest informed the court about proposed legal amendments to form a forest protection force.
The court has requested reports from the secretaries of the law and forest departments by the next hearing. The bench warned that appropriate orders will be issued if no progress is made on the matter. The case has been adjourned until September 4 for further hearing.
