The Kirthar park is under threat due to illegal construction and feudal interests affecting the natural beauty of the park. The kirthar park is located in kirthar mountains range south-western, Sindh approximately 80 north of Karachi. The Kirthar National Park is Pakistan’s third-largest park, stretching over 300 thousand kilometers. It was declared a national park in 1974 after being examined as a wildlife sanctuary in 1972. Kirthar ranked first in the United Nations park list. A shocking disclosure came from the “Sangat Mag” team when it visited Kirthar National Park, revealing a terrible distraction story. Bahria Town housing societies, a strong feudal lord, and Bahria Town authorities with their illegal boundaries are displacing the local people and distracting the natural environment. Based on the research, deforestation was the major cause of Kirthar, making it uninhabitable for wildlife. In the vicinity of Kirthar park, people are perpetually displaced, and land mafias have seized their land forcibly. A number of threats and blackmails were made against local people to force them off their land.
Hafeez Baloch, of the Sindh Indigenous Rights Alliance, said, “I found that locals threatened to sell their land at low prices. In addition, the Indigenous people do not sell their land, which marks the boundaries of Bahria Town. There are historical graveyards, “Moor Moradi”, dating back thousands of years.
The famous singer Saif Samejo shared a Video and Said; “I want those friends, filmmaker friends and let’s go to Malir and Kirthar Mountains. Moreover, he Said; our mission is to amplify the voices of the local indigenous people.
To push back the unlawful activities demands for a legal action by local indigenous people. For the environmental protection, the parties and respected citizens emphasize demands toward the government. As the situation unfolds, the public is concerned that authorities should take action and bring an end to an unsustainable environment. The government should make Kirthar park green and equitable for wildlife.
Kirthar park has an international status and has protection in country law. In the region of Kirthar National Park restricted from digging for any purpose, it is mentioned in Sindh Wildlife Ordinance. Another Act of 1970 under the government ” prohibited the search for oil or gas.”
Eminent Sindhi historian Gul hassan Kalmati writes that there is complete ban on hunting in kirthar National park. Moreover, he writes, according to the wildlife department in 1980 seven leopards were presented in the park but now couldn’t be found anymore. Either leopards are killed or captured by local feudal lord’s.
Despite all this Kirthar National Park is considered a world heritage and in the name of development is being destroyed. This is legal in any law? Or from Sindh High court to supreme court will take notice of the disaster of Kirthar National Park.
After 2013 the region launched big commercial projects Bahria Town and D.H.A. affecting the Malir’s agriculture lands and mountain or rivers without knowing that region provides oxygen to Karachi and maintains the ecosystem. Today these projects affect lungs like COVID-19.
At a time in this mountainous region many species like mammals and birds. The eyes of visitors are often looking at ibex and wild goats but because of Bahria Town the rapid illegal sanctuaries are rapidly disappearing.
Eminent Sindhi historian Gul hassan Kalmati writes that there is complete ban on hunting in kirthar National park. Moreover, he writes, according to the wildlife department in 1980 seven leopards were presented in the park but now couldn’t be found anymore. Either leopards are killed or captured by local feudal lord’s.
Author: Farooq Sargani