Going green: Sindh to have two more national parks in two years
CM Shah promises to build seven biodiversity parks within three years.
CM Shah promises to build seven biodiversity parks within three years. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Sindh will have two more national parks in the next two years, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah was told in a meeting on Friday.
The two new schemes, Karoonjhar National Park and Takkar Area National Park Sukur, are said to be eco-friendly and hold immense cultural importance according to their locations, the CM was told. Kirthar National Park is the only park in Sindh so far.
The chief minister was conducting a meeting on the progress of the forest and wildlife department at CM House on Thursday when he received this briefing. According to sources, it was after a long time that Shah has chaired a meeting of this department.
"He showed a keen interest in the developmental projects and their importance," said an official who attended the meeting. Shah directed the officials to complete the projects using all available resources as they are very important for the environment.
Shah was informed by the officials that seven other biodiversity parks will be completed in the next three years. These forest parks will be built in Mohbat Dero in Khairpur, Takkar Area in Khairpur, Miani near Hyderabad, Weeran Forest in Thatta, Sultanpur near Sukkur, Qadirpur near Sukkur and Behand Forest near Larkana.
These would be the important forests for flora and fauna where no human activity will be allowed. Long mud-walls will be erected around these parks, another official informed, saying it will make a visible change in the environment of Sindh.
Officials informed that Rs500 million is the estimated cost for all these parks and Rs50 million were allocated in last year's budget.
Completion of two parks
The issue of delay in releasing funds for Pai Forest located in Shaheed Benazirabad district and Wildlife Safari in Booharki forest located in Badin district was also discussed.
Shah ordered wildlife minister Gayan Chand Esrani to release funds for both the projects. "Both of these projects will be ready by July 15," said an official, saying the chief minister will be invited to inaugurate these projects.
The authorities had aimed to rehabilitate, restore and manage the flora and fauna at Pai Forest, while the Booharki forest project was aimed at habitat restoration and the promotion of ecotourism through its development.
The issue of anti-smuggling steps taken by the wildlife department was also discussed. Sources said that the officials were asked to take measures to stop the illegal trade of birds and animals from Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2015.
Sindh will have two more national parks in the next two years, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah was told in a meeting on Friday.
The two new schemes, Karoonjhar National Park and Takkar Area National Park Sukur, are said to be eco-friendly and hold immense cultural importance according to their locations, the CM was told. Kirthar National Park is the only park in Sindh so far.
The chief minister was conducting a meeting on the progress of the forest and wildlife department at CM House on Thursday when he received this briefing. According to sources, it was after a long time that Shah has chaired a meeting of this department.
"He showed a keen interest in the developmental projects and their importance," said an official who attended the meeting. Shah directed the officials to complete the projects using all available resources as they are very important for the environment.
Shah was informed by the officials that seven other biodiversity parks will be completed in the next three years. These forest parks will be built in Mohbat Dero in Khairpur, Takkar Area in Khairpur, Miani near Hyderabad, Weeran Forest in Thatta, Sultanpur near Sukkur, Qadirpur near Sukkur and Behand Forest near Larkana.
These would be the important forests for flora and fauna where no human activity will be allowed. Long mud-walls will be erected around these parks, another official informed, saying it will make a visible change in the environment of Sindh.
Officials informed that Rs500 million is the estimated cost for all these parks and Rs50 million were allocated in last year's budget.
Completion of two parks
The issue of delay in releasing funds for Pai Forest located in Shaheed Benazirabad district and Wildlife Safari in Booharki forest located in Badin district was also discussed.
Shah ordered wildlife minister Gayan Chand Esrani to release funds for both the projects. "Both of these projects will be ready by July 15," said an official, saying the chief minister will be invited to inaugurate these projects.
The authorities had aimed to rehabilitate, restore and manage the flora and fauna at Pai Forest, while the Booharki forest project was aimed at habitat restoration and the promotion of ecotourism through its development.
The issue of anti-smuggling steps taken by the wildlife department was also discussed. Sources said that the officials were asked to take measures to stop the illegal trade of birds and animals from Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2015.