Tharparkar: The Sindh cabinet has designated the Karoonjhar Hills as a cultural and heritage site, alongside its status as a forest and wildlife sanctuary/Ramsar site. The decision aims to protect these regions while also approving granite mining in the nearby Khasar area, subject to environmental clearances.

According to Zameen.Com, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the cabinet meeting, which included discussions on balancing environmental conservation with economic development. The meeting also reviewed a proposal for the Granite Excavation Project in Nagarparkar, initiated by the caretaker government and supported by a 2015 Geological Survey of Pakistan report. This report identified approximately 14 billion tonnes of granite in the area. However, mining activities were halted by the Sindh High Court in October 2023 due to concerns over the impact on cultural sites and the environment. The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court, which emphasized that any mining in the area must consider wildlife, environmental, and heritage protections.

In response, the cabinet selected the Khasar area, located 25km from Nagarparkar, as an appropriate site for granite mining. This site, covering an area of 3.6km², was chosen because it does not overlap with protected forest regions, hence minimizing environmental concerns. The approval for mining is pending final clearances from the forest and wildlife department, ensuring that development does not compromise the ecological and cultural integrity of the region.