In a major crackdown on illegal land encroachments, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tharparkar, Mr Adil Memon, has initiated a district-wide operation against individuals who have unlawfully converted designated grazing lands into agricultural fields following the recent spell of moderate to heavy monsoon rainfall.
Speaking to a correspondent, SSP Memon confirmed that 35 individuals have been nominated in 15 First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by revenue officials for cultivating crops on grazing lands in various parts of the arid district. Terming the practice a serious offence, he warned that it deprives over 80 million livestock—the backbone of Tharparkar’s rain-dependent economy—of vital fodder.
“Police teams are actively conducting raids to apprehend the accused,” said Mr Memon. “This action is necessary to deter others from attempting similar violations during the current monsoon season.”
The police, in coordination with revenue officials, have already bulldozed illegal crops sown on grazing lands and atop the sandy dunes locally known as bitts. SSP Memon stated that all Station House Officers (SHOs) across the district have been instructed to extend full cooperation to revenue staff in preventing further encroachment.
“These lands must be preserved for grazing so that our livestock population can access sufficient fodder in the months ahead,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude to local journalists and community leaders for highlighting the issue and supporting efforts to protect communal grazing grounds.
Historically, since British colonial rule, cultivating crops on designated grazing land has been considered illegal, with deputy commissioners enforcing strict bans during monsoon to preserve natural fodder for livestock. This year, timely rains across Tharparkar have encouraged opportunistic individuals to encroach upon government-owned pastures, despite an explicit ban imposed by the Deputy Commissioner.