The Sindh government is set to replace the nearly century-old Sindh Forest Act, 1927 with a new legal framework, the Sindh Forest Act, 2026, as part of its efforts to modernise forest governance and align provincial legislation with contemporary environmental standards.
According to official sources, the draft law has been finalised and its legal vetting by the Law Department has been completed. Following approval by the Sindh Cabinet, the proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in the Sindh Assembly, replacing a law that has remained in force for almost 99 years.
Sources said the proposed legislation contains comprehensive provisions relating to the classification of forests, protection of trees, regulation of tree felling, and conservation of forest resources. It also introduces updated legal definitions of forests and trees, strengthens safeguards for forest land, and incorporates provisions consistent with international environmental laws and conventions.
The draft further proposes the establishment of specialised Forest Courts to ensure speedy disposal of forest-related cases, introduces a new administrative mechanism for monitoring and protecting forests, and envisages the creation of a permanent conservation fund to support forest protection and sustainable management.
Forestry experts, however, have expressed concern over the government’s reported move to replace the existing Forest Act, 1927 instead of amending it. They argue that the current law has served as the legal foundation for forest conservation for decades and that replacing it in its entirety, rather than strengthening it through targeted amendments, could weaken the legal framework for protecting forests and undermine afforestation efforts.
The complete text of the proposed legislation has yet to be made public. However, sources said the draft is likely to be placed before the Sindh Cabinet at its meeting scheduled for July 23.
It remains to be seen whether the Cabinet will approve the draft legislation outright or refer it to a committee of ministers for further examination. The government’s final course of action is expected to become clear after the Cabinet deliberations next week.