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PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
FOREST AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENTS
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
WEDNESDAY THE 26TH NOVEMBER, 2008.
*126. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
(a) Number of estimated Blind Indus Dolphins remaining in wild as on 31st March, 2008;
(b) Does Government intends to take steps to prevent extinction of the said species?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
(a) The number of Blind Indus Dolphins in Sindh estimated as on 31st March 2008 is 922.
(b) Government of Sindh is/has taken effective steps to prevent the extinction of Blind Indus dolphin, whose number has been increased from 150 (in 1974) to 922 in 2008.
Besides, the habitat (192 Km of Indus River) has been declared as "Reserve" since 1974 and species (Dolphin) enjoys the status of "Protected species" since 1972.
*517. MR. NADEEM AHMED BHUTTO: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that three forests, namely Miyani, Nawab Muhammad Khan and Khatri, situated in Union Councils Hatri and Masoo Bhurghari, Taluka Hyderabad are under illegal occupation of some influential Zamindars and they are growing crops over this land;
(b) If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, names of such Zamindars as well as time period since when land are in the possession alongwith step taken or intended to be taken by the Government to get vacated the said land?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a) It is not a fact that presently forest area of Miani, Nawah Muhammad Khan and Kathri forests situated in Union Councils Hatri and Masoo Bhurghari, Taluka Hyderabad is under illegal occupation/forcible encroachment of some influential Zamindars and they are growing crops over this land.
(b) The factual position is that an area of 31.0 acres in Miani Forest and 20.0 acres in Kathri Forest was under forcible encroachment of various influential encroachers. The details are given below:-
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Forests
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Area (in Ac.)
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Name of encroachers
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Period
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Miani
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5.0
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Mr. Altaf Jatoi
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2004-07
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|
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9.0
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Mr. Sattar Mashori
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-do-
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|
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4.0
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Mr. Maqsood Brohi
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-do-
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|
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3.0
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Mr. Hakeem Babar
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-do-
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|
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10.0
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Mr. Sattar Mashori
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-do-
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Total
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31.0
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|
|
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Kathri
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20.0
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Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Shah
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1983 to 2007
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• The above encroached area was vacated from un-authorized occupants during August 2007. Cotton & Bajra crops raised illegally over above area were destroyed. Presently the possession of this Forest land is with Sindh Forest Department.
This may further be apprised that an area of 206 acres as detailed below is under possession of following persons on the basis of illegal allotments made by Revenue & Barrage authorities.
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Forests
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Area (in Ac.)
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Name of occupants
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Remarks
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Miani
(Riverine)
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95.0
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Mr. Nibhero & others
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The Department have filed appeals against the illegal allotments before the Revenue Courts which are still pending.
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|
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88.0
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Mr. Abdul Sami & others
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-do-
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Miani
Irrigated
Plantation
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23.0
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Mr. Zahanat Hussain & others
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-do-
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Total
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206.0
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• As regards, Muhammad Khan Forest, presently no area is under encroachment.
*601. SYEDA MARVI RASHDI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that the flesh of Turtle is being sold at Butcher Shops in Kashmor;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in affirmative, step taken by the Government against the perpetrators?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
(a) It is not a fact. But some traders from outside Sindh area (Punjab) were found involved in trapping of fresh water turtles from border of Punjab & Sindh Provinces near Guddu for their transportation to Punjab. In this regard Sindh Wildlife Department took action against such offenders who were involved in illegal trapping of freshwater turtles. 22 cases have been registered against them and an amount of Rs. 224,000/- recovered as compensation under the provisions of law.
(b) Answer to (a) above is not in affirmative. However, steps taken by the department against the perpetrators, who were involved in illegal trapping of fresh water turtles are as under:
Divisional Raid Party and field staff have been deputed at the border of Punjab & Sindh Provinces near Guddu for checking illegal trapping of fresh water turtles. If anyone is found involved, strict action is taken under the provisions of Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1972.
*602. SYEDA MARVI RASHDI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
Names and numbers of National Parks in the province alongwith kinds of mammals, birds & reptiles found in National Park Khirthar?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
The is only National Park in the province of Sindh namely Khirthar National Park.
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Area
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1192 Sq miles
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Location
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District Malir and Jamshoro
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The list of mammals, birds and reptiles is at. Annexures-I, II, III and IV placed on the table of the House.
*624. MRS. HUMERA ALWANI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that Mangroves tree are illegally chopped off from coastal belt particularly Karachi,
(b) If answer to (a) above is in inaffirmative, amount of loss beared by Sindh Government;
(c) Specify places from where Mangroves are being damaged by land grabers as well as steps taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER NOT RECEIVED
Sent to Department Reminder
29-08-2008 17-10-2008
06-11-2008
22-11-2008
*733. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
The names and date of appointment of all the Honorary Game wardens as on 28th July, 2008?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
The Names and date of appointment of all the Honorary District Game Wardens as on 28th July, 2008 are as under:
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S. No.
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Name of District
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Name of Honorary District
Game Warden
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Date of Appointment
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1.
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Karachi
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Mr. Shahabuddin Burro
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17.6.2008
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2.
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Tando Muhammad Khan
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Mr. Anwar Hussain Shah
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23.6.2008
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3.
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Tando Allayar
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Mr. Muhammad Ismail Chachar
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23.6.2008
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4.
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Matiari
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Mr. Aamir Behzad Memon
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23.6.2008
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5.
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Nausharo Feroze
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Mr. Ali Sher Khan Bhurt
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23.6.2008
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6.
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Badin
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Dr. Mir Abdullah Talpur
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23.6.2008
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7.
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Nawabshah
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Mr. Saleem Raza Jalbani
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23.6.2008
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8.
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Jamshoro
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Malik Shafqat
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23.6.2008
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9.
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Thatta
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Mr. Abdul Hameed Panhwar
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23.6.2008
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10.
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Sanghar
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Mr. Mushtaq Ali Rind
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23.6.2008
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11.
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Larkana
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Mr. Aamir Zeb Jatoi
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12.7.2008
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12.
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Khairpur
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Pir Syed Muhammad Taqi Shah
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14.7.2008
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*734. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
The composition of the Sindh Wildlife Management Board as on 28th July, 2008?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
Presently affairs of Sindh Wildlife are being managed by a full-fledged Wildlife Department, headed by the Minister Wildlife and the Secretary Forest & Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh, hence Sindh Wildlife Management Board does not exists as such.
With the creation of Wildlife Department in 1994, the necessity of Wildlife Management Board has not been felt as it was before 1994, when the affairs were being managed/controlled by the Board.
However, the role of Sindh Wildlife Management Board is to be shifted from managerial to advisory as is being observed in other provinces, for which amendments in section 4(1) of Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1972 are mandatory.
The draft amendments are being sent to the Law Department, Government of Sindh for vetting before putting the same in Sindh Assembly.
*749. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
The Steps being taken to promote commercial forestry in Sindh?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
As regards commercial forestry, block plantation of Acacia nilotica (Babul) at the spacing of 6'x6' traditionally known as "hurry" is already in practice in Sindh. Apart from production of mining timber and fuel wood, "hurries" also improve soil, through nitrogen fixing and provide excellent fodder. The farmers fetch revenue by sale of mining timber i.e. pit props/fuel wood after 3-5 years. Whereas, for initial 2 years they also earn additional revenue through raising of agricultural crops between tree lines. The practice traditionally concentrated in Hyderabad and Sanghar districts has also, spread over other districts in recent years. In addition, block and linear plantations of Eucalyptus on marginal private farmlands at the spacing of 6'x6' is also carried out for the same purpose.
Sindh Forest Department has always facilitated farming community in this regard by providing them both the technical advice as well as saplings/seed.
It may further be apprised that due to present adversities of climate change, global warming and acute shortage of ' water supplies both from river Indus and canal irrigation system, the state owned forests are now being managed with sustainable approach instead of commercial aspects.
Commercial harvesting of state owned forests has been banned. Only necessary/unavoidable felling as per silvicultural requirement of crop is being allowed on limited scale. Above Strategy of Sustainable Forest Management is the need of the day for environmental stability. This would help to mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming through carbon sequestration.
*817. MR. NADEEM AHMED BHUTTO: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that hundreds of poisonous snakes captured from Sindh are taken to Islamabad at National Institute of Health every year for preparation of anti snake venom serum without permission of Wild Life Department;
(b) If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, details thereof?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
It is not a fact that hundreds of poisonous snakes which are found in Sindh are captured for National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad for preparation of anti snake venom serum. However, some snake charmers and snake catchers who know that poisonous snakes are used in preparation of anti snake venom serum, capture the snakes and send to NIH, Islamabad. Private catching of snakes is prohibited under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1972.
*1007. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a) Whether it is a fact that eucalyptus tree has been banned for planting in the Province;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in affirmative, reasons thereof?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
No, it is not a fact that Eucalyptus has been banned for planting in the Province. Generally the public is informed time and again to avoid planting of Eucalyptus tree on potential lands. However, planting of Eucalyptus on marshy and marginal areas is usually prescribed.
Karachi:- HADI BUX BURIRO
the 25th November, 2008. Secretary
Provincial Assembly of Sindh |
