HYDERABAD, April 18: Sindh’s chief conservator of forests said on Tuesday that Karo Khaho forest spread over 2,785 acres of land had been a government property since 1916, and a claim by any individual to its ownership was false.

He said in a statement issued here on Monday that the Forest Department had leased out 320 acres of forest land to Mirs for six years from 1984 to 1990 on agro-forestry basis, and again extended the period for further four years from 1990 to 1994 on condition the land would remain part of the reserved forest.

But the lessee did not give up possession of the land even after expiry of second lease period forcing the department to go for an appeal, which was decided in its favour in 1998, he said. In spite of this, the ex-lessee continued illegal occupation and compelled the department to get its land vacated through police on April 3, said the chief conservator.

He clarified that the claim of ex-Karo Khaho lessee and farmers that they owned the land was misleading and fabricated as the forest was government property.

SU: The Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof (Dr) Iqbal Ahmed Panhwar, inaugurated a four-day book fair, a part of university’s “Founder’s Week” programme, organized by the Allama I. I. Kazi Library, University of Sindh, on Monday.