Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that, under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, teams have been formed in every district to reclaim forest land from illegal occupants. In a significant operation, the Forest Department has recovered 70 acres of encroached land in Rakh Bait Dewan, Dera Ghazi Khan district.
Additionally, in Khanani Forest, Muzaffargarh district, 15 acres of forest land were reclaimed with the assistance of the district administration. So far, over 3,000 acres of forest land in Rakh Shikarpur have been freed from illegal encroachments.
She further revealed that the North Forest Division intercepted smuggling of valuable cedar wood being transported from Kashmir to Punjab. In Murree, under the cover of darkness, the Forest Department seized high-value kail timber along with a jeep. Four individuals were arrested on the spot, and legal action under the Forest Act of 1927 has been initiated.
In Multan Forest Division, the department confiscated stolen timber along with tractor-trolleys, arresting four individuals on-site. FIRs have been lodged against the suspects.
Marriyum Aurangzeb reiterated the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding nation’s valuable natural assets. “We will not allow anyone to encroach on forest lands or cut down trees under any circumstances,” she affirmed, emphasizing the government’s round-the-clock efforts to protect forest resources.