Our Correspondent
Thatta: Deputy Commissioner Thatta, Sarmad Ali Bhaagat has ordered immediate legal action against alleged illegal encroachments within the protected boundaries of the Keenjhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary after taking notice of a complaint filed by the Keenjhar Maroora Welfare Development Organization.
The complaint alleged that government land in Village Nabi Bux Palari, situated within the internationally protected Keenjhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary a Ramsar Site of International Importance had been illegally occupied and transferred.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, DC Thatta directed Assistant Commissioner Thatta, Fahim Shakir along with the Mukhtiarkar (Revenue), to conduct a detailed site inspection and verify the allegations. The revenue team visited the area, inspected the reported encroachments and submitted its findings to the district administration for further legal proceedings.
Following the verification, the Deputy Commissioner ordered the issuance of legal notices under Section 22 of the Sindh Land Revenue Act to all occupants and individuals allegedly involved in the illegal occupation or purchase of government land within the protected sanctuary. The individuals concerned have been directed to appear before the Mukhtiarkar with all relevant ownership and land records for verification.
The district administration stated that any unauthorized construction, land excavation, tree felling, occupation, sale, purchase or transfer of government land within the Keenjhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is strictly prohibited under the applicable wildlife, environmental and land protection laws.
DC Sarmad Ali Bhaagat further directed law enforcement agencies and revenue officials to ensure that no additional encroachments or unauthorized structures are established within the sanctuary limits. He ordered officials to maintain the existing status quo until the legal process is completed and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found violating environmental and land protection laws.
Reaffirming the district administration’s commitment to environmental conservation, the Deputy Commissioner said every effort would be made to preserve the ecological integrity of Keenjhar Lake, one of Pakistan’s most important freshwater wetlands and an internationally recognized Ramsar site. He emphasized that all legal measures would be pursued in accordance with the law to protect the sanctuary from illegal occupation and environmental degradation.
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