The Lawachhara National Park has long been the victim of continuous encroachment over the years. According to local environmentalists, approximately 250 acres of the park is currently occupied, mostly by various local influential figures.

At the heart of the problem lies the fact that no proper boundary was ever established for the park. Without a comprehensive survey, the process of demarcation cannot be initiated. In the 28 years since the forest was first declared a national park, no survey has been conducted and as such there is no established boundary.

Adding to the woes, the Forest Department is rarely engaged in efforts to recover occupied land within the park.

The park, rich in diverse flora and fauna, is home to various endangered and rare species of wildlife, making it a popular destination for environmentalists, wild animal lovers, and tourists. Located in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar, Lawachhara National Park spans 1,250 hectares and was designated as a national park in 1996.

The park is home to 167 species of trees, 246 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, 59 species of reptiles, and 22 species of amphibians.

Surrounding the park are villages and privately owned land. This is where some some landowners have encroached onto the forest land -- planting seasonal fruit trees and even constructing homes.

The village of Baghmara, for instance, is located about three kilometres from the park. The park is currently engaged in a legal dispute that involves hundreds of residents living across 155 acres of forest land.

Photo: Star

Shahidul Islam, Sreemangal Range Officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, said, "There are public land right next to the park. However, without a survey I cannot even place a marker because the boundaries are undefined. A survey would clarify the park's borders."

On a positive note, recent efforts by the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department successfully recovered six acres of land from two locations, both deep inside the park, thus needing no disputes over the boundary.

On September 22, one acre was reclaimed from an individual named Jamshed Mia in the Battali area.

Then, on September 15, around five acres were recovered from former agriculture minister Abdus Shaheed, near the National Park's student dormitory -- an attempt that had previously failed in 2018.

The Forest Department believes that further land remains under the control of various individuals, complicating additional recovery efforts.

On November 3, local Awami League leader Zenar Ahmed reportedly occupied approximately 4 acres of the Lawachhara forest.

Despite efforts to contact Zenar Ahmed, he could not be reached.

Md Shah Alam from Sreemangal upazila, claimed to have leased the land from Zenar Ahmed.

He said, "I have cultivated lemons here under a 5-year lease from Zenar Ahmed. I paid Tk 1,20,000 in advance for 2 years. The remainder will be paid as I sell the lemons, according to our lease agreement. I'm just a poor man trying to support my family through this work, and I never expected to be in this situation."

Jamil Mohammad Khan, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department, said, "We have successfully recovered about 4 acres of forest land. However, we did not encounter anyone during the operation, and no one came forward to claim the land."

Nurul Muhaimin Milton, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Sangbadik Samitee in Moulvibazar, said local environmental activists are calling for the forest department to reclaim the land, highlighting that 250 acres are still occupied by various parties, including a resort that should be prioritised for recovery. But the forest department has stayed silent regarding the whole issue.

According to the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, the Sylhet Divisional Office has communicated with higher authorities and the Directorate of Survey regarding the need for a survey, but no initiatives have been launched yet.

Jahangir Alam, the Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer, said, "There has never been a survey of Lawachhara. The situation remains unchanged, and conflicts have arisen over certain areas. Many occupants lack proper documentation. We only reclaim land once we are fairly certain it belongs to us. A survey is crucial, and I will continue to advocate for one. Without a survey, we cannot ascertain how much land is under illegal possession."