MITHI: A large number of poets, writers, rights activists, lawyers, members of civil society and general public gathered in the hilly town of Nagarparkar to express solidarity with leaders and workers of the Karoonjhar Sujag Forum for their efforts to save the hills from miners and corporate sector.

Shopkeepers also joined in after shutting down their business centers on the call of the forum.

The protesters in the lead of Seraiki poet and novelist Riffat Abbas, Sindhi writer Jami Chandio, vocalist and singer Saif Samejo, writer Mudassar, poet Haji Sand, Allah Rakhio Khoso, Khalil Kunbhar, Sagar Khaskheli and others gathered at the Bhitani rivulet from where they began march towards the local press club to show solidarity with the people who had been at the forefront of efforts to save the hills from further damage.

The protesters’ leaders said that it would be grave injustice to inflict any more damage to any point of the hills and called upon the high-ups of the government to make concerted efforts to get the region included in the World Heritage Sites for its effective protection and preservation.

They made it clear that any move to auction off the hills would also be resisted in future as well, adding that each and every pebble of the hills would be protected.

They asked the high-ups of the governments to provide more resorts as well as other recreational places to attract more tourists and to help local people earn during the monsoon season.

They said that on the Independence Day, several thousand people gathered at various points of the hills, which fetched enough revenue for hoteliers and those who installed makeshift stalls to sell food items and their local products.

The eminent writers reassured the people of Parkar of their full and unflinching support in their sincere efforts to safeguard the hills.

Expressing grave concern, the speakers observed that despite the repeated orders passed by courts, including Sindh High Court, some unscrupulous elements were still busy in extracting granite and gravel from there for the construction of small dams and other structures.

They highly lauded the efforts of PPP Senator Krishna Kumari Kolhi who got a resolution passed in the upper house of the country regarding protection of the hills and to include them in the list of the World Heritage Sites.

Karoonjhar Sujag Forum chief Allah Rakhio Khoso thanked the participants for gathering at the foothill of Karoonjhar hills on their call to send a clear message that saner elements would not allow any kind of destruction there.

He made it clear that they would try their best to save their hills and heartlands even at the cost of their lives since they believed that such places were very close to hearts and souls.

Sagir Khasklheli, Mohen Kolhi and other leaders of the forum also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2023