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The Sindh forest department has issued a notification declaring the intertidal zone of Thatta and Sujawal districts, including the areas of Korangi and Phitti creek on which the islands of Bundal and Buddo exist, as protected forests.
On Feb 2, the provincial cabinet had decided to declare the islands of Bundal and Buddo off the coast of Karachi as protected forests on the orders of the Sindh High Court.
The development was revealed while the Sindh High Court heard a petition that challenged the federal government’s authority of promulgating an ordinance over the islands that exist in the “exclusive territories of the province of Sindh” and called for the protection of mangrove forests on multiple grounds.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 29 of the Forest Act, 1927 and all other powers enabling the government in this behalf, and in supersession of all notification issued in this behalf, the Government of Sindh is pleased to declare the intertidal land (mangrove areas) of Thatta and Sujawal districts described in the following Schedule to be “Protected Forests” with immediate effect. The provision of Chapter IV of the said Act shall be applicable to it,” the notification dated Feb 15 stated.
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According to the notification, an estimated area of 750,000 acres mapped through GIS (geographic information system) has been declared protected under two schedules of the Forest Act.
The area included in Schedule 1 starts from the boundary of Mirpur Sakro and moves towards Gharo, Ghaggar Phattak, Deh Pipri, area of Port Qasim, ending at the west boundary of Ibrahim Hydri.
The area falling under Schedule 2 starts from the Sir Creek border and includes areas in front of Jati taluka and surrounding areas of Shah Bandar before ending at Kharo Chann.
“The western boundary further follows the reference No: 22 (N 24 81215 E 67.306.727) and moves towards Deh Ibrahim Hyderi, reference No: 22 (N. 24.777469 E 67.126083). This particular portion of this notification encompasses the areas of Korangi and Phitti creek systems on which Bundal and Buddo islands are located,” the notification stated.
