KARACHI, Jan 8: Advisor to chief minister Sindh on forest and wildlife, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah Shirazi, has said that efforts are being made to acquire the help of police and Rangers in removing encroachments from forest lands which are under the occupation of influential persons, so as to bring them under farm forestry with a view to implement the government policy for maximum cultivation.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting which reviewed the overall performance of forest officers at his office here on Thursday. The meeting also discussed important administrative matters concerning the working of the department.

The advisor emphasized the need for conservation of forest wealth and streamlining the activities of the department for better results. He asked the conservators to prepare details about the losses and damages to forest lands done by antisocial elements.

The advisor was informed that dacoits and other criminals possessed sophisticated weapons in comparison to the forest officials. The advisor assured the officials that the chief secretary Sindh, the PPO, the Rangers and the home department would be asked for extending help and assistance in that regard and the services of elected representatives would also be acquired.

Regarding illegal possession of forest lands, the advisor directed the secretary forest and the wildlife department to prepare a summary for the chief minister Sindh for cancellation of such land agreements with reference to recovery of dues.

Syed Ejaz Ali Shah Shirazi further said that a committee would also be constituted to evolve ways and means for recovery of outstanding amounts. Provincial secretary forest Shamsuddin Memon, asked the officials of the department to intensify their efforts for completion of all specified schemes/ projects within the stipulated time and assured the advisor of his full assistance and cooperation to meet the objectives set out.

The meeting was informed that twenty five honey bee colonies were being reared on mustered crop in Pai Forest in Nawabshah, while in February at least 25-50 bee queens would be imported to increase the number of bee colonies.

The meeting was also told that some 40 packets of silk worm eggs were imported from Japan for autumn silk worm rearing, and silk worms produced during autumn were sold by the department for Rs1,26,000. The silk worm spring rearing crop would commence from the third week of February and would be completed by March next.

The meeting was attended, among others, by the chief conservator and conservators of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Thatta, and the director sericulture Hyderabad.-PPI