Environment: Land mafia ruining date gardens in Manghopir

Plan is to clear land to start construction for houses in groves.

KARACHI: The land mafia has started cutting down scores of trees in the lush date gardens of Manghopir, Express News has learnt.

“Trees planted in these gardens were abundant with dates which the residents could collect in the morning,” said resident Faqir Mohammad.

The plan is to clear the land to start construction for houses in the groves. Residents have complained about the situation and accuse the police of supporting the land mafia. “These gardens have existed for generations,” said resident Sajid Rand. “Some influential people have ruined the beauty of these gardens for their own selfish interests.”

Archeology department Secretary Kalim Lashari confirmed that they had received complaints of illegal occupation and tree felling in Mangophir.

“We told the police to take action,” he said. “But the police and land mafia took advantage of the legal loopholes to continue work.”

According to Lashari, they have started a project in collaboration with the Auqaf department to protect this historical asset. But he argued that it was the responsibility of the environment ministry to stop people from cutting down trees in the area.

A football ground, often visited by former chief minister Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Akhtar Mengal and other dignitaries, was also built near these gardens.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2010.

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@B��c�ical-align:middle'>The parts of Liaquatabad Town hit by the load shedding and subsequent water shortages included Gharibabad, Bantwa Nagar, Bandhani Colony, Ishaqabad, Sikandarabad, Sharifabad. “Where are our ministers who won their seats with the help of our votes?” asked one protester.

For its part, KESC official Aamir Abbasi told The Express Tribune earlier on in the day that a fault had developed in a cable in the area but they would not repair it until they are given security. “We can repair the fault from our office that was set on fire in the previous attack in Al Karam. But it is a security risk.” By evening, a press release was issued, saying that after respectable figures from the area gave assurances, the team went back to work.

Liaquatabad DSP Taufeeq Ahmed earlier told The Express Tribune that the fault was “not a major one”. “We are ready to provide KESC security,” he explained. “We are with the residents of Liaquatabad Town and the police will support them. I am ready to give them the matchbox to burn tyres because they are protesting peacefully and until they take the law into their own hands, KESC will not restore the electricity.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2010.