LARKANA: The forest department on Tuesday claimed to have retrieved nearly 9,000 acres of forest land from unauthorised cultivators and other occupants in Larkana district.

The operation had been launched more than a week ago in several districts of the province in pursuance of a court order.

While thousands of acres of forest land had so far been retrieved in Larkana, Ghotki and Kandhkot-Kashmore districts, a similar operation was launched in Dadu district on Tuesday.

Forest officials in Larkana said that the demolition teams faced no resistance until Tuesday, the 11th day of the operation.

A strong continent of police escorts the demolition team and supervisory officers while Rangers have been put at their disposal for assistance in case of violence.

The officials said that a total of 8,897 acres of land had so far been retrieved in Amrot, Ghangharko, Gaji Dero, Hassan Wahan, Bahman-I and II, Tatri and Bagi forests. They said around 10,000 acres of forest land falling within the jurisdiction of Larkana division was yet to be retrieved in the ongoing operation, led by divisional forest officer Iftekhar Arain.

The demolition teams dismantled agricultural and watering machines, tube wells and structures to clear the lands, which include those whose lease had been cancelled by the Sindh government following issuance of the relevant court orders.

DFO Arain said that excavators, tractors and tools were being used in the operation. Wheat crop standing on 6,573 acres had been taken into custody and would possibly be auctioned after it was harvested.

DADU: Forest officials in Dadu district launched the operation on Tuesday to retrieve an estimated 27,000 acres of land from encroachers.

Forest officials along with a demolition team equipped with heavy machinery and escorted by police covered the KT Lalia forest and started demolishing 100 houses and 200 watercourses and taking over standing crops over some 5,000 acres.

The operation is being supervised by Dadu forest officer Abid Ali Jatoi.

Meanwhile, Jamshoro forest officials have also launched a similar drive to retrieve 13,264 acres of land in the district.

Led by Jamshoro DC Capt Fareed-ud-Din Mustafa and forest officer Mukhtiar Ali Mallah, the operation was started from Rajari, Manjhand, Unnarpur, Gadar Ji, Kunda and Kahiro Dero forests.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2019