KARACHI, May 7: The Sindh Forest Department has accelerated its efforts to bring more lands under farm forestry in Sindh. Besides, the department has earmarked about Rs69.87 million to complete five on-going schemes.

According to the break-up, Rs17.88 million is being utilized for the expansion/strengthening of socio-agro forestry activities through the establishment of network of farmers-operated nurseries in Sindh; Rs12.00 million is kept for range management and forage production in forest lands of Kohistan and Thar areas, Karachi, Dadu and Thatta districts; Rs3 million has been kept for preparing master-plan for the development of coastal areas of the province; Rs32 million has been earmarked for replanting/ regeneration of 8,000 hectares of Indus Delta mangroves in the Shah Bandar, Keti Bandar and Karachi areas and Rs4.99 million for the management and research of marine turtles.—APP