Wildlife Safari in Badin on the cards

KARACHI - Forest and Wildlife department of Sindh government is going to develop a Wildlife Safari in Booharki Forest in district Badin, keeping in view the habitat restoration and promotion of eco-tourism, sources in the forest and wild department told The Nation on Sunday. The sources said that PC-1 of the said project was being prepared and a high level meeting would be held soon to review the project and get approval for implementation to establish Wildlife Safari in Booharki Forest, sources said. It is learnt that Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, minister for home and forest, during his visit to district Badin last year, had directed the Forest Department to prepare a concept paper for the restoration of biodiversity and development of a wildlife safari at Booharki Forest. Mirza visited Badin in September 2009 and issued directives to the Divisional Forest Officer Afforestation Division, Tando Muhammad Khan had submitted a concept paper titled Habitat Restoration and Promotion of Eco-tourism Through Development of Wildlife in Booharki Forest District Badin. Sources further said that the high officials of Forest Department had requested to the Forest Minister Dr Mirza to organise a meeting for presentation of the report pertaining to the establishment of wildlife safari in Booharki forest, so that after reviewing the project and getting final approval to the authorities concerned Planning and Development Department of Sindh government to be approached for the purpose. The Booharki Forest is situated in Badin district which is located at the tail-end of the irrigation system and acute shortage of water has not only affected the environment of the district but the socio economic conditions have also been affected. Badin Development & Research Organisation with technical and financial support of WWF has rehabilitated hundred acres of land in Booharki Forest in Badin by addressing issues related to deforestation, shortage of irrigation water and unawareness among the community about the management of forest. Forest areas in Sindh are facing numerous challenges including water shortages, poverty, over population, increasing demand of fuel and timber, over grazing and illegal occupation.