KARACHI-Sindh Minister for Local Government, Information and Forest Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has inaugurated Sukkur People’s Urban Forest spread over 110 acres with length of 4.2 kilometers that lies between banks of Dadu and Rice Canals. The 300 feet wide Peoples Urban Forest between the two major canals, starts from city point and ends at Sukkur Bypass near airport. Thirty Two species of trees have been planted, including Tweta Kaner, Amaltas, Sukh Chain, Neem, Tipopia, Talhi, Bottle Brush, Suhanjhro, Injeer, Gul-e-Nashter, Tacoma, Simbal Jacranda, Tabobia, Peeple and others.
The project is approved with the special efforts of Sindh Minister Local Government and Forest Syed Nasir Hussain Shah in financial year 2019-20. It was informed that lift irrigation mode would be used to irrigate the forest plants. The facilities of 10 feet walking track, 10 feet cycling track, sitting area, log huts and grass lawn would also be developed in the forest, while plan has been conceived to install 272 solar lights in the forest to keep it illuminated in the evening for visitors.
Addressing on the occasion, Shah said that on the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh government has envisaged to develop urban forests in major cities of the province. He said that Sukkur is second after Karachi where urban forests have been inaugurated today. “I am glad that today project has been inaugurated. The credit goes to Chief Conservator Forest Dr Abdul Jabbar Qazi, Conservator Forest Saleem Vistro and their team for completing this project. He said that land where urban forest has been developed, retrieved from the encroachers, and it was declared as urban forest. He said that no formal scheme was prepared for this project and forest department team had made it possible in limited funds. 
He added that tree plantation would be carried out in other parts of district Sukkur and directed local councils including Municipal Corporation, District Council, Town committees and union councils to spare funds, Sindh government’s monthly grants for tree plantation, adding that the strict monitoring would be ensured and civil society and media persons would be included in monitoring teams so as to maintain transparency in utilisation of funds in tree plantation. He informed that forests were also being developed on millions of acre land throughout province on retrieved land of forest department. He said that on 15th March 2021, 100,000 sampling would be planted in Hyderabad and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be invited to the event. He said that planting a tree is a great charity and invited philanthropist to play their role in making Sindh green.    
Apart from urban forest project, Sindh government has launched making Sindh green project with a cost Rs599.944 million and green Pakistan project with Sindh government share of Rs3016.350 million. He said that Sukkur Peoples Project is gift for the people of city and it would be made complete family recreational spot with the additional facilities. He said that it is not only a recreational but play vital role in combating climate change. 
“I congratulate people of Sukkur for getting People’s Urban Project after projects like Women University, Arore University and NICVD,” the minister maintained and added that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government was committed to serve the people and journey of development would continue in the province according to the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 
The minister assured that additional funds and human resources would be provided to project administration while schemes would be approved for the existing project. The minister appealed to the citizens of Sukkur to own this project as it will add to the beauty of Sindh’s third largest city.