KARACHI: Sindh does not get its due share in Indus waters most of the time owing to which the province in general and mangrove forests in the Indus delta region in particular have been suffering during the past couple of decades, said parliamentary secretary (PS) for the forest and wildlife department Nasir Shah on Monday.

He was responding to questions asked by legislators during the Sindh Assembly`s question hour which pertained to the forest and wildlife department.

Mr Shah was answering questions asked by Pakistan Muslim League -Functional legislator Nusrat Sehar Abbasi in the absence offorest and wildlife minister Gayan Chand, who attends the assembly most of the time but never comes to it when the question hour pertains to his department.

Explaining the regular short supply of water to Sindh, the PS said that there were a few flood canals in Punjab which were supposed to be opened during floods only, but it had been seen and reported regularly that those canals remained open even during the water shortage period which subsequently resulted in Sindh getting lesser water thanits dueshare.Sindhkeepsraising the issue with the federal government as well as with the Punjab government at all relevant forums, but the situation remains the same most of the time.

Answering another of her ques-tions that what the PPP, which ruled not only in the province but the federation also, had done during its last tenure, 20082013, the PS said that once when it was reported that those canals were opened during a water shortage period the then president Asif Ali Zardari ordered immediate closure of the canals and they were closed within eight hours.

But normally those canals remained open and the province got less water.

Replying to another of her questions that what the government/ legislators could do to get due water for Sindh, he urged the legislators to join hands with the government so that a consensus resolution could be passed by this assembly and sent to the federal government and other relevant forums informing them ofthe water shortage being faced by Sindh so that they could help secure the due water share for the province.

Gugal trees` destruction Responding to another of her questions, regarding the destruction of the highly rare Gugal trees in the Thar desert in 2011, Mr Shah said after the matter was reported in February 2011 over 30 people, including some influential men, were caught and booked under Section 68 (a) of the Forest Act 1927 and a fine of Rs43,500 was recovered from them.

Responding to a question by Muttahida Qaumi Movement legislator the names of the influential people mentioned by the PS, in the written reply Mr Shah said that he could not reveal the names on the floor of the house as many members might not like it. While many legislators demanded that the names be declared, some of them were not keen on pressing for the disclosure. So when no consensus could be obtained, Ms Raza said those legislators who wanted to know the names could see Mr Shah in his office and the names would be disclosed to them.

MQM legislator Sumeta Syed said the written reply said that Section 144 was already implemented when the trees were being destructed while the PS replying to the other question had said that it was imposed later, so which one of the statements was correct. The PS said Section 144 was imposed later, and it had been misprinted in the reply.

PPP legislator from Tharparkar Khatumal said the local administration, forest department officials and local influential people were jointly involved in the destruction of the highly rare Gugal trees. He said that gum, which fetched high price in the market, was extracted from the Gugal plants through artificial methods by injecting poisonous chemical and after the chemical based extraction, the plant gradually died down.

Mr Shah said that some of the measures adopted by the department for Gugal protection were that 50 acres under Gugal plantationhad been fenced; and cuttings had been planted on other 30 acres, while Gugal saplings were being raised on 30 other acres. Those efforts had resulted in large-scale germination of Gugal plants which were now under proper protection.

Responding to another question by Ms Abbasi, regarding aerial seeding done on and around the Gorakh Hills, he said neither any aerial seeding had been carried out around the Gorakh Hills nor such a plan was under consideration. PML-N legislator Irfan Marwat said aerial seeding was carried out for three consecutive years in the Galiyat area between Abbottabad and Murree owing to which that region had become lush green. That success story should be followed in the Gorakh Hills also to make it more attractive for tourists.

When a large number of legislators demanded that such an activity be planned, he said the proposal would be considered by the department.

Responding to another question regarding development of facilities at the Gorakh Hills, he said a rest house, restaurants, etc had been set up there and water and electricity had also been provided. The road had been constructed but being in the hilly area parts of it were washed away during rains and flash floods.

The work was also in progress to get it ready also.

Sardar Ahmed, Bilquis Mukhtar and Mohammad Hussain Syed of the MQM and ministers Nisar Khuhro and Dr Sikandar Mandhro also took part in it.