DADU, July 30: Speakers at a seminar on Sunday said that wildlife was worst affected due to exploration of oil and gas in mountain areas and other parts of Sindh.

The seminar “Mountains and environment of Khirthar” was held in Mendhio Palari village near Thano Bula Khan on Sunday.

The seminar was organised by the People’s Doctors Forum, Sindh.

PDF president Dr Karim Khwaja said that some three million people were living in the Khirthar range, Karoonjhar, Makli, Rohri, Ganjo Takkar, Kar Jabal and other mountains without civic amenities.

He said that environmental problems created in mountains areas were affecting wildlife and local population.

He said that exploration of oil and gas in mountains area was the main reason of environmental problems which should be stopped and importance should be given to establish green belt.

Javed Qazi said that the Koyata protocol should be implemented in the world to face environmental issues.

He said that Europe had agreed on the protocol but America was not accepting it.

He said that China and India could play a role in this regard.

Dr Wasi Mal said that birds and animals had stopped coming to the Khirthar range from other parts of the world due to deterioration of environment.

He said that migration of local villagers was going on in the Khirthar range in Qambar and Larkana districts due to environmental problems caused after oil and gas exploration.

Dr Shafi Patoli said that the mountain areas lacked water, road, health and other basic facilities.

Dr Barkat Leghari said that hunting of wildlife should be stopped in the National Khirthar Park by foreigners.

He said that the government should advance loans to women to start their business of embroidery in mountain areas.

He demanded that royalty of minerals, oil and gas should be spent on development of areas concerned.

A free medical camp was organised by the People’s Doctors Forum in Mendhio village.