We must save forests for our own sake
It is quite disheartening that the fate of life-saving forests in our country does not change regardless of whether there is a political or non-political government in power. Somehow, influential locals and unscrupulous businesses always manage to get the backing of someone in power to destroy and loot our natural resources for their own gain. The encroachment of the reserve forest in Majher Char in Patuakhali's Rangabali is a glaring example of this.
According to a report in this daily, a local named Jewel Sikder has allegedly been expanding his fish enclosure encroaching upon the forestland. During Awami League's rule, he had its backing, and now, he is allegedly using BNP's banner although the latter has denied any affiliation. Jewel's list of alleged illegal actions includes not only felling trees to occupy deforested areas for expanding his business but also constructing a dam, digging drainage canals, and installing culverts inside the forest to facilitate water flow to his fish enclosure. Though evidence of forest grabbing was found, and an inquiry launched, no action has been taken against him yet. We hope that the inquiry process will not get stalled in bureaucratic delays, but the question remains: why did the forest officials not notice these activities beforehand? Why no action at all was taken? Surely, the dam and the culvert were not built overnight, nor could those be hidden away at will.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Unfortunately, forestland grabbing, felling trees, and illegal logging are too common all over Bangladesh. These crimes continue happening right under the noses of authorities, and often with their help. There hardly seems to be any proactive supervision or patrolling to prevent such activities. Beyond their significance in maintaining ecological balance, forests, particularly in the coastal belts, have time and again shielded local residents from the severity of devastating storms. It is beyond comprehension why anyone would want to take down these protections. We urge the authorities, including local administrations and forest officials, to take firm action so that individual greed, political shelter, negligence of duty, and bureaucratic red tape do not lead to further loss of forestland in Bangladesh.
Comments