Declaring part of Madhupur as reserve forest

The recent declaration of 9,145 acres of land in Madhupur of Tangail by the government as a reserve forest has left about 6,000 people living in the area, among them Garo, Koch, Bormon, and Bangalee, in a state of anxiety and fear.  Some members of the ethnic communities are looking at the move as a conspiracy to oust them from what they claim is their 'ancestral land.' 

The Department of Forest argues that it has followed every rule under Section 20 of the Forest Act of 1927 such as issuance of a notice by the forest settlement officer, taking into consideration the concerns of the local population and making them aware of the government's decision. The initial gazette was published in 1984 but no one came forward to complain or oppose the pronouncement. Also, forest officials have assured the ethnic groups that the authorities have no plans to evict them, the department claims. 

The narrative, on the other side, is different. Locals say they were not invited at the official hearing held by the deputy commissioner in 1984, according to sources. According to a study, the denial of land rights to the ethnic groups, and the attitude of the forest department towards them have fostered a deep distrust of the administration among them. In 2003, a member of the Garo community was shot dead by the forest guards while protesting the move to construct an Eco park in the forest. 

We emphasise on the need to preserve both our forests and the communities living therein.