Business to be brought forward before the Legislature on Thursday, the 11th February, 2010 at 10.00 a.m.
I.(A)RECITATION FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN.
(B)NAAT SHAREEF
II.QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: (Forest & Wildlife Departments)
III.LEAVE APPLICATION OF MEMBERS, IF ANY.
IV.PRIVILEGE MOTION, IF ANY.
V.ADJOURNMENT MOTION NO.3 OF 2010; GIVEN NOTICE OF BY MS. NUSRAT
BANO SEHER ABBASI, MPA.
VI. PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON IRRIGATION AND POWER ON MOTION MOVED BY SYED RAZA HAIDER, MPA; REGARDING FREQUENT POWER FAILURE ESPECIALLY ON 17TH AND 18TH JUNE IN THE PROVINCE OF SINDH.
VII.ANY OTHER BUSINESS WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR.
HADI BUX BURIRO
KARACHI, THE SECRETARY
10th FEBRUARY, 2010.PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
Summary of Proceedings
PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
FOREST AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENTS
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
THURSDAY THE 11TH FEBRUARY, 2010.
*1419. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
The number of “Certificates of Lawful Possession” granted during the period from 1st January, 2008 till 31st December, 2008 in respect of Live and Trophy/Skin of Sindh Ibex, Markhur, and Urial?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
The “Certificate of Lawful Possession” permits are not issued in respect of Live and Trophy/Skin of Sindh Ibex, Markhur, and Urial, only trophy hunting permits for Sindh Ibex and Urial are issued to the hunters, whereas Markhur is not found in Sindh.
*1451. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
District wise total population of Marsh Crocodiles in the Province as on 31st December in the year, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2008?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
It is to point out that due to non availability of required under water survey equipments and trained manpower, no authentic data is available about the Marsh Crocodile population in Sindh. However, field observations and reports of filed staff reveal that roughly about 1200 to 1500 Marsh Crocodiles are available in the different water bodies of Khairpur, Shaheed Benazir Bhuttoabad, Sanghar, Thatta and Jamshoro districts.
*1582. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Wildlife be pleased to state:-
Fine collected by the Department on account of trading in endangered/protected species during the period from 1st January, 2008 to 31st December, 2008?
ANSWER
DR. DAYA RAM, Minister for Wildlife:
The details of fine collected by the Sindh Wildlife Department on account of trading in endangered/protected species during the period from 01.01.2008 to 31.12.2008, is as under:-
S. NO.
NAME OF OFFICE
FINE COLLECTION
01.
Office of the Conservator Wildlife Sindh, Karachi.
Rs. 558,000
02.
Office of the Deputy Conservator Wildlife, Sukkur.
Rs. 360,800
03
Office of the Deputy Conservator Wildlife, Hyderabad.
Rs.53,200
Grand Total
Rs. 972,000
*1632. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
Whether the forestation of canals and irrigation channels is the responsibility of the Forest or Agriculture Department?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(1)Canal side trees are the property of the Irrigation Department and they are responsible for protection of trees on canal side banks and strips Forest Department has no authority to interfere with such management of tree growth along canals.
(2)However, whenever any new plantation is to be raised along canal side under the approved PC-I scheme and funds are released to the Forest Department, such new plantation is to be raised by the Forest Department and after its raising and establishment the same is transferred after completion of scheme period (normally five years) to the Irrigation Department for further protection and maintenance etc.
(3)All the Canal Side growth i.e. mature trees or other new plantation raised under the approved schemes when handed over to Irrigation Department, the entire responsibility for protection and maintenance as well as disposal rests with the Irrigation Department.
*1757. MS. HEER ISMAIL SOHO: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Is it a fact that forest department staff of district Ghotki by selling precious trees and letting occupied of thousands acres of land have destroyed the forest;
(b)Is it also a fact that 70 percent of Jarwar, Frontier, Aadilpur & Maheasar forest have been destroyed and these seems no tree in any part of forest;
(c)If answer to (a) & (b) above be in the affirmative, action taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(1)It is not a fact the forest department staff of District Ghotki in involved in selling of precious trees and letting occupation of thousands acres of land and have destroyed the forest. However, the action has been taken against the delinquents found involved in any forest offence.
(2)It is alos not fact that 70% of Jarwar, Sarhad (Frontier), Adilpur & Mahesro Forests have been destroyed. In fact thousands of trees are standing on the site which can be verified. The forests are open property and the law & order situation of District Ghotki is worst in Sindh and the occurring of little damage also can not be ruled out.
(3)In this regard, the following actions have been taken:-
(i)26 F.I.Rs have been lodged against the unauthorized encroachers/damagers.
(ii)117 cases filed by the unauthorized encroaches/illegal allottees are being defended at various courts of law vigorously.
(iii)Value/compensation of damage viz. Rs. 378,760/- have been recovered from the offenders.
(iv)Penalty of Rs. 738,376/- only have been imposed upon the delinquent staff on account of damage in the forests.
(v)An area of 2,868.80 acres have been leased out for Five years agro-forestry cultivation. By leasing of the above area an amount of Rs. 18,927,672/- only have been recovered from the lessees.
(4)However, the Sarhad forest being properly stocked is being developed as “Sarhad Forest Game Reserve” for propagation, conservation & protection of wildlife and trees. The works of fencing the 2400 acres area and other civil works are underway.
Besides, Jarwar, Adilpur & Mahesaro forest contain plenty of trees which are always under threat of drought and damage being open property.
*1854. MS. HUSNA AFTAB: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Is it a fact that uncultivated land of the province is being allotted at lower rates on 30 years lease for a forestation to promote forests;
(b)If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, names of district/taluka as where allotment is being made?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a)There is no such policy in existence in Sindh Forest Department. No un-cultivated land of Forest Department is being allotted at lower rates on 30 years lease for afforestation to promote forests. However, at present Agroforestry Lease Policy approved by Government of Sindh in the year 2004, is in vogue. The Forest lands included in the schedule are being leased out for 5 years at the approved rates by the Government.
(b)-----
*1875. MS. HEER SOHO: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Is it a fact that some influential persons have occupied well known Karaoonjhar mountain in District Tharpakar and cutting precious trees;
(b)Is it also fact that precious and scenting Giglal trees are being given chemical cut and Gum is obtained resulting thousands of trees have dried and ruined;
(c)If answer to (a) & (b) above be in affirmative, steps taken by the Government against said persons?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a)It is not a fact that the influential persons have occupied well know Karoonjhar mountain, extended over an area of 20,000 acres under the control of Sindh Forest Department in District Tharparkar and cutting of precious trees existing in the area. Thus there is no encroachment in Karoonjhar hills under the control of the department by any influential person.
It may be clarified that there are other mountainous areas such as Chanida and Dhingano which also contain Gugal trees but are not under the control of the Forest Department and are Government waste lands under the control of Revenue Department. Only area of Karoonjhar mountain measuring 20,000 acres is under the control of the Forest Department wherein the Forest Officials are vigilant.
(b)It is not a fact that thousands of Gugal trees on Karoonjhar mountain under the control of Forest Department are being given chemical cut to obtain gum with the result that the trees have dried and ruined. However, it is a fact that the trees being an open property and spread over a vast area are susceptible to such damage by some miscreants for which timely action in taken against the offenders. An amount of Rs. 24,000/- has been recovered as value and compensation of such damage from 10 offenders on Karoonjhar mountain during the financial year 2008-09 on account of illegal extraction of Gugal gum from trees by using chemical etc. For such offences first offence reports have been issued by the protective filed staff and offences are compounded as per Forest Law, Photocopies of FORs showing recovery of Rs. 24,000/- from 10 persons are at Annexure-I, placed on the table of the House.
Moreover, on persuasion by the department the District Zila Nazim Tharparkar has imposed section 144 on the cutting and extraction of gum from Gugal trees in various periods, copies of four such orders passed by District Nazim Tharparkar from time to time at Annexure-II, placed on the table of the House..
(c)In view of above position, the answers to (a) to (b) above are in negative, as far as the area under control of Forest Department is concerned.
*1985. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
Type/Number of trees to be planted during current year i.e. 2009 for helping with reforestation of the Province?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
Approximately 7,671,640 trees are to be planted during current year i.e. 2009 by Sindh Forest department under Spring and Monsoon tree planting campaigns and various development schemes. The main types of trees to be planted are Babul, Eucalyputs, Neem, Shisham, Kandi, Siris, Conocarpus & Mangroves etc.
Specie-wise breakup of above plants are as under:-
S. #
Name of Species
No. of Plants
1.
Babul
4,165,940
2.
Neem
708,800
3.
Shisham
337,500
4.
Eucalyputs
1,142,824
5.
Conocarpus
75,000
6.
Siris
122,500
7.
Rhizophora
381,688
8.
Avicenia (Timer)
381,688
9.
Coconut
35,200
10.
Kandi
125,000
11.
Simal
8,000
12.
Bhan
65,000
13.
Other (ornamental & fruit treses)
122,500
Grand Total
7,671,640
*2153. MS. HEER ISMAIL SOHO: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Is it a fact that Asian Development Bank provided fund for the development of the forests of the Province;
(b)If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, amount of fund alongwith names of forests where said fund utilized?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
No such grant in aid has been provided by Asian Development Bank to Sindh Forest Department in recent past.
*2306. MS. HUSNA AFTAB: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Is it a fact that Government is allotting 100-100 acres of land on lease basis for plantation to promote forests and utilizing waste land;
(b)If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a)There is no such policy existing in Sindh Forest Department for allotting 100-100 acres of land on lease basis for plantation to promote forests and utilizing waste land. However, at present Agro forestry lease policy approved by Government of Sindh in the year 2004 is in vogus. The Forest lands included in the lease schedule were leased out for the period of lease for five years through open auction. The maximum land that may be leased out to an individual shall not exceed forty acres. However, at present there is ban on leasing of forest land under agroforestry lease policy imposed by Government of Sindh.
(b)----
*2308. MS. HUSNA AFTAB: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Budget allocated by the present Government during current financial year for the promotion of the forest in the Province;
(b)Is it a fact that no amount utilized for plantation in the current year and plantation proved failed and even not a single tree planted;
(c)If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the reasons thereof;
(d)If answer to (b) above is in negative, location wise number of trees planted?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a)The total budget allocated by the present government during current financial year for the promotion of the forests in the Province is Rs. 291.273 million.
(b)As such there is no amount utilized for the plantation purpose because the amount allocated for the plantation purpose has not been released so for, hence no new plantation work could be carried out. However, the maintenance of the existing plantations is carried out by the regular forestry staff to sustain the growth of trees/forests. Therefore, there is no failure in the already established plantations.
*2366. MRS. HUMERA ALWANI: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
Number of acres of forest land leased to different cultivators with names by the previous Government in Thatta district alongwith details of land leased out?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
9403 acres of forest land leased (in the year 2005) to different cultivators with names by the previous Government in Thatta District alongwith details of land leased out is at Annexure, placed on the table of the House.
*2719. MS. HEER ISMAIL SOHO: Will the Minister for Forest be pleased to state:-
(a)Time since when work is continue on coconut and oil farm at coastal area, as well as objectives of said farm alongwith completed work;
(b)Location-wise acre of land allocated for the above said farms?
ANSWER
DR. ZULFIQAR ALI MIRZA, Minister for Forest:
(a)History of raising of Coconut Palm and Oil Palm Farms in coastal belt of Sindh dates back to 1993, when the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto while visiting Makli District Thatta on 17.12.1993, issued directives for boosting the production of Oil Palm & Coconut Palm in Coastal Zone of Sindh which resulted of Project titled “Establishment of Coconut & Oil Palm farms in Coastal zone of Sindh”.
The Project initially approved for five years from 1994-95 to 1998-99 with original cost of Rs. 89,924 millions was implemented by Sindh Coastal Development Authority, (SCDA) Karachi. The scheme subsequently extended with revised cost of Rs. 148.547 million and transferred to Sindh Forest Department in the year 2001-2002. Following were the quantitative objectives of the project:
i.
Raising of Coconut Palm Plantation
3,200 Acres
ii.
Raising of Oil Palm Plantation
800 Acres
iii.
Raising of Coconut Nursery
195.31 Acres
iv.
Import of improved varieties of Coconut seed
898.500 Acres
v.
Intercropping in inter spaces
3000 Acres
The project was implemented in Bao Porandas, Hayat Gaho, Khthore, Marho Kotri Riverine Forests and Gharko, Khanani, Maliriri, Huderani, Mazari and Mulchand Irrigated Plantations of District Thatta. Plantations raised on 2482.00 acres in well fertile areas of B.P Das Gharko, Hayat Gaho, Marho Kotri & Kathore Forests is having 70% and above success ratio.
Main objective of the project is to increase Coconut & Palm production, provided plating material and job opportunities to local people and to combat decertification and improve environment.
(b)As per policy the areas included in Development schemes for raising of Coconut Palm & Oil Palm Plantations are to be brought under cultivation after obtaining favourable soil tests. As present Coconut Palm will be planted on 1500 acres in Bao Porndas, Bijora, Kathore, Sadnani & Shahlunko Forest. Apart from this 10,000 Coconut Plants will be raised on private lands. These plants will be property of the private land owners.
