November 11, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1429

BADIN, Nov 10: Lush green land nurturing decades-old trees in Badin forests have gone barren because of illegal deforestation with the concerned authorities least bothered.

Chopping of trees and trading these at a throwaway price never caught the attention of concerned officials thus defacing the scenic beauty of the area.

Now, a demand to allot this land to landless haris and farmers is gaining strength for the authorities appear losing interest in protecting the forest.

The six forests of Badin district spread over an area of more than 30,000 acres have been destroyed by the vested interests turning these into treeless land. The big ones are Rari (Taluka Golarchi) and Boharki (taluka Badin) while smaller ones are Ahmed Rajo, Nazarpur, Golarchi and Khalifo Qasim. The most alarming factor is inattention of the Sindh administration over violation of law.

The charge of Badin forests rested with the district forest officer (DFO) Tando Mohammad Khan, while he maintains only nurseries, paving was for those interested in deforestation.

The spirit of afforestation suddenly cropped up among influential people on seeing the species of naturally grown trees sprouting after the rainfall. This gave them an impetus to illegally occupy forest land and cultivate crops in collusion with concerned authorities.

The Forest Department officials allowed land grabbers to indulge into deforestation, land occupation and crop cultivation. Once the process enters into final stages, the officials impose nominal penalty, issue them receipts of fine which later serves as a ‘sale deed’ as land grabbers get immunity from any legal action.

The land occupied in collusion with the Forest Department officials is called ‘Chokries’. While many landlords encroach upon forest land to avail its water share for irrigation purpose while authorities appear sleeping over unauthorised sale of forest water share. There absolutely is no reparation by way of re-plantation.

Officials don’t heed deforestation but always keep record of plantation of thousands of trees during campaigns.

Shafi Mohammad Junejo, a retired Range Forest officer told Dawn that the fate of forest land in Thatta and Tando Mohammad Khan is no different.

He said the department could never revive forests as these lands were grabbed long ago by influential people with most brought under cultivation.

Shafi Mohammad demanded of the government to allot 400,000 acres of forest land to retired officials and deserving people.