Fish enclosures being set up in reserve forest

Fish enclosures are being set up by clearing reserve forestland in Barguna's Taltali upazila, allegedly in collusion with some forest officials, according to locals.

The forest, located along the Andharmanik river from Nishanbaria Ferry Ghat in Barobogi union to Chawlapara village in Sharikkhali union, has seen trees felled to grab land for aquaculture projects.

Officials of the forest department and residents said the department had planted kewra and bain along about 20 kilometres of the riverbank several years ago. Over time, these mangrove trees have formed a dense green belt, protecting coastal communities from natural disasters such as storms, cyclones, and floods.

However, during a recent visit to Chawlapara, this correspondent observed that hundreds of kewra saplings and other trees had been cut down. Excavators were also digging around two acres of forestland for fish enclosures.

Locals alleged that influential individuals, namely Babul Mridha and Zakir Mridha, are behind the encroachment, which has continued unabated for about a week.

Babul Mridha, when contacted, claimed, "The land is in front of our own land and homestead, and we have taken official settlement of it. We are preparing this for shrimp cultivation. Forest officials have visited the site."

However, he was unable to produce any documents supporting his claim of land settlement.

Arif Rahman, Taltali upazila coordinator of the environmental group Dharitri Rokkhay Amra, said, "This is how a section of land grabbers is destroying and occupying the coastal green belt. They must be brought to justice. "

Motiur Rahman, Taltali range officer of the forest department, denied the allegation, stating, "We served Babul Mridha a show-cause notice on Thursday after being informed of the incident. Legal action will be taken based on their written response to recover the occupied land and punish those responsible."

Contacted, Taltali UNO Umme Salma said, "I will discuss the issue with forest officials and take legal steps accordingly."