Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar said that the people's representatives are involved in the occupation. Whatever party he belongs to. Many who work in the forest department are not directly involved but indirectly involved with the occupiers. The country is suffering because of these people.
Begum Habibun Nahar MP was speaking as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with members of Medakchhpia and Fansiakhali
co-management committees of Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar on Monday (March 14).
Sadly, the minister said that 80 to 90 percent of the people's representatives were involved in various incidents. It is necessary to take action by listing the occupiers and destroyers of forest resources.
The chief guest at the meeting at Medakchupia National Park said that one has to protect the forest resources of one's area. There are misdeeds in all sectors. One hundred percent honest people do not match. There is no benefit in blaming each other. Be honest with yourself. I want to end the mutual tension. Only then will I be able to reach the desired goal. Build resistance, not aid forest destroyers.
Speaking as the special guest on the occasion, Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) MP Zafar Alam said, "How much money is the government getting by leasing Balu Mahal inside the garden?" Due to this forest resources are being damaged. MP Zafar said there is no development of Bangabandhu Safari Park. Another is the accused in one case. Stop this. Green nature is an integral part of life. Maya Mamata needs to be developed towards the tree. All brick kilns have to be closed from inside the forest.
Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Md. Abu Sufian, Senior Director of Nature Conservation Management (NECOM) Rashiduzzaman Ahmed addressed the meeting.
Cox's Bazar North Forest Officer Anwar Hossain Sarkar gave a welcome speech at the beginning of the program.
He said the forest was created in 1951. Green afforestation is still visible. The tendency of forcible occupation is also going to be noticed. However, we are trying to expand the forest. There are also incidents of casualties while trying to protect the forest.
Joynal Abedin, president of Medakchupia co-management committee, spoke on behalf of the locals. "We don't know what a national park is," he said. Effective steps need to be taken to protect the beauty of forest resources.
Dulahazara UP Chairman Hasanul Islam Adar expressed sorrow over the deaths of wild elephants. He demanded strict action against illegal sand mining, environmental and forest resource destroyers.
Fansiakhali UP Chairman Helal Uddin demanded to be strict against the brick kiln occupiers by occupying the forest department land as the leader of the ruling party.
Maulana Muhammad Abdur Rahman, chairman of Khutakhali UP and Gias Uddin, former chairman of Fansiakhali spoke on the occasion.
Cox's Bazar South Forest Division Officer Md. Sarwar Alam, Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) JP Dewan, Fulchhari Range Officer Faruk Ahmed Babul, Fansiakhali Range Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman and others were present at the meeting.
At the end of the program, under the direction of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Sub-Project Director (Nekam), various materials were distributed among the forest CPG members.
It may be mentioned that 211 CPGs are working in Medakchhapia and Phansiakhali. Four CPGs have already sacrificed their lives to protect the forest.