Larkana: A grand operation was launched on Saturday to retrieve 11,247 acres of forest land occupied illegally in the Larkana district, a news source reported.
The operation, initiated from Amrote by the Larkana circle of the divisional afforestation office, was organised under the directions of the Sindh High Court. Heavy machinery was used to launch the proceedings.
A contingent of police escorted the squad officials engaged in retrieving the occupied areas from unauthorised growers and peasants in 15 forest zones.
According to Divisional Forest Officer Iftekhar Arain, the staff faced no resistance from the said occupiers. Tractors and excavators were used to uproot crops grown illegally on the Amrote forest lands.
Arain informed that the clearing squad could seek assistance from Rangers personnel, if needed. It was already in touch with the home department for the purpose.
The Larkana divisional circle of the forest department has 51,127 acres of forests under its jurisdiction. Of these, 11,247 acres have been encroached upon over the years.
