DADU: Over 75,000 acres of forestland, out of total 125,000 acres, has been occupied by influential people with the help of forest officers in Dadu and Jamshoro districts, Daily Times has learnt.
Environmentalists have complained that forests in Jamshoro districts, includingUnarpur, Amri, Rajri, Manjhand, SonaBindi, Kundah, Gugah, KheroDero ,KT Lalya, Nari, KachooMangsi, and forests in Dadu district, including KT Jatoi, Ghaloo, Jhaloo, Amniani, Sita, Radhan andNaugoth, have been occupied while trees were being cut. They said that owing to deforestation, climate in these areas is changing fast.
Environmentalist ProfFaiz Mohammad Shaikh warned that if cutting of trees won’t stop and if forests are not protected, the area would witness a drastic climate change, increasing heat significantly inDadu and Jamshoro districts. He demanded protection of forestland and sowing of plants in Kachoo and Katcho areas.
Jan Mohammad, a social worker, revealed that around 75,000 acres forestland has been occupied during last nine years by the influential people and political bigwigs with the support of local forest officers of forest divisions in Dadu and Jamshoro. He said around 50,000 acres forestland was allotted through lease during ‘the ban on lease’ after receiving huge amount as bribe.
Environmentalist NaseerMemon urged the forest officers to start tree plantation immediately otherwise it would not only affect the human population but would also affect production in the area.
He demanded that following the pattern of hot weather, all plants should be re-planted in forests of Dadu and Jamshoro under strict vigilance.