Sindh Minister for Forest and Home, Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza on Friday directed Secretary Forest to gear up efforts to check illegal felling of trees and transportation of wood and thus protect forestry from diminishing. He issued the directive while taking cognisance of a news item appearing in a section of press regarding mass destruction of mangroves.
It was alleged in the report that coastal areas of Sindh, specially Karachi, were being deprived of mangroves and land grabbers had occupied major parts of land in the coastal belt in connivance with some officials of Forest Department, Police and other concerned authorities.
The Home Minister asked the Secretary Forest to inquire into the matter and take strict action against the delinquent staff, if found involved in this malpractice. It may be mentioned here that Forest Department has already formed 'Rapid Party' for Karachi to protect illegal cutting of mangroves from Rehri, Ibrahim Hyderi and other coastal areas.