Operation launched in Matiari to retrieve forest area from land-grabbers.

HYDERABAD -- A massive anti-encroachment operation was launched in riverian area of Matiari district on Sunday to remove crop sown on forest land in violation of apex court's orders.

The operation supervised by forest secretary Abdul Rahim Soomro, chief of anti-encroachment cell Tariq Dharejo, Matiari deputy commissioner, SSP Asif Bughio and others began in the morning and continued for several hours.

Sindh Minister for Forest Nasir Shah who paid a brief visit to the area to inspect the operation said that the operation had been started because Sindh government was soon going to approve a new forest policy to replace the Musharraf's era policy.

'We need to ensure that no tree felling took place and no cultivation of crops started on the land and if anyone does so it will be tackled in the same manner,' he told Dawn over phone on Sunday.

Around 200 personnel, including policemen, anti encroachment cell staff, revenue and forest departments' staff with the help of tractors and other machinery participated in the operation.

The occupiers of the forest land had fled away apparently after someone in the department alerted them about the action.

According to forest secretary Rahim Soomro, cases would also be lodged against the occupiers who had grown crops in violation of Supreme Court's directives. 'The operation is carried out from time to time across Sindh because people tend to cultivate crops whenever they find land vacant after floods in the riverian area,' he said.

He disclosed that around 5,000 acres had been reclaimed out of 25,000 forest land that had been under illegal occupation. 'Properties like tractors and other items will be confiscated. Today's operation was carried out only in Khabrani and Mureed forests in Matiari district,' he said.

Sindh's three barrages have been witnessing low to medium level floods this monsoon season. Whenever there is flood in...