SUKKUR, April 23: Sindh Minister for Irrigation and Power Jam Saifullah Dharejo has warned of legal action against people involved in tree cutting on large scale on the banks of canals.

He issued this warning during talks with journalists after holding meeting with the chief engineers of Sukkur and Guddu barrages here on Tuesday. He directed the irrigation officers to launch tree plantation campaign on the banks of canals.

He said agriculture was the backbone of our economy hence it was imperative to make an improvement in irrigation system in the province for farming community.

He said efforts would be made to release required water at Kotri Barrage downstream. The minister said he would try his best to solve the problems of farmers and of Irrigation Department and in this regard meetings had been held by him with irrigation experts of the province to receive feedback.

He will also plead the matter of water accord and other issues in an effective way.

Earlier, the minister was briefed by the chief engineers of Guddu and Sukkur barrages, Zafarullah Mahar and Haroon Memon about present status of machinery, water flow regulating gates and the progress of de-silting works carried out in the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages during the current financial year and other development works, and asked them to monitor personally pitching work of the schemes.

On the complaint of farmers of Garhi Yasin, the minister directed concerned officers to start de-silting work of the Mirwah Minor Canal in four days.

—Correspondent