Sanghar
In a quick stopgap measure, Sindh’s home department has banned the felling of trees in the Sanghar district, following uproar by the public. As per a notification, dated January 28, any illegal cutting down of trees has been declared a criminal offence, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and prohibited in the district for a period of 60 days.
The ban, reads the notification, was imposed after receiving complaints from the general public against the clearing of trees and shrubs from near the Chotiari Dam and the Achro Thar Desert. Locals, say officials, were collecting wood for fire which was permanently damaging the environment. While, the illegal trade of dry wood was “causing a loss of billions of rupees” to public property, states the notification.
In case of violation, local police officers have been directed to register a complaint under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and fine. Sanghar is one of the largest districts in Sindh, with a population of around two million, as per the 2017 census in Pakistan. It is also one of the oldest gas production regions in the province.—INP
