KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the provincial authorities from issuing any allotment within the notified boundary of Khirthar National Park after petitioners asserted that the respondents have failed to protect the park and are set to allot portions of the land for commercial activities.

The SHC also directed the district and sessions judge (Malir) to depute any sessions judge to inspect the park with the assistance of the respective authorities and petitioners in view of the contentions raised in the petition.

Comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, the two-judge bench also said the wildlife department secretary must submit a complete break-up of the activities launched by the wildlife department in the last 10 years and posts created for safety of rare and other living species.

While issuing notices to the respondents for Oct 21, it also directed the culture department secretary to depute a team acquainted with heritage and antiquities to visit all estates falling within the scope of Ancient Monument Preserva­tion Act 1904 and file report along with photographs.

Citing the secretaries of the departments of wildlife, culture, mines & minerals as well as the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Malir Development Authority and others as respondents, petitioners Hafeezur Rehman and others approached the SHC seeking protection of the park.

The lawyers for the petitioners submitted that the Khirthar Protected Areas Complex (KPAC) comprised of one of the country’s largest national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.

They argued that the park was an important habitat for a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles where an estimated 276 species of fauna had been recorded while the KPAC was protected and had been declared a protected area under the relevant laws and rules.

The counsel maintained that the park was habitat for 33 species of mammals, 23 species of reptiles, three species of amphibians, 29 species of fish and 25 species of plants while it was also known as main habitat for the Sindh’s urial and ibex.

They also asserted that the respondents had failed to protect the national park and on the contrary, they were going to allot some portions for commercial business through leases of mines and reti bajri, though they were required to protect the park as well as old graves and historical places.

After a preliminary hearing, the bench put the respondents as well as advocate general Sindh on notice for the next hearing.

“Meanwhile, respondents are hereby restrained from issuing any allotment within the notified boundary of Kirthar National Park. Moreover, learned District & Sessions Judge Malir shall assign any Additional District & Sessions Judge, who shall inspect the Khirthar National Park with the assistance of the respective authorities and petitioners and their counsel and submit his report in view of the contentions raised in

the present petition,” the bench in its order said.

Calling for a complete break-up of the wildlife department activities as well as posts created during the last 10 years, it also sought a report about all estates falling within ancient monument preservation law and ruled that all such exercises must be completed within 15 days.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024