Loggers feast on forests

Illegal logging continues unabated in the deep forests in Bandarban, contributing to deforestation and destruction of wildlife and depriving the government of revenue.
Almost all the reserve forests stretching over 1.2 lakh acres in Lama, Alikadom, Ruma, Rowangchhari and Thanchi upazilas assumed a barren look due to mindless felling of trees.   
Sources say dishonest timber merchants in connivance with a section of corrupt forest officials smuggle thousands of cubic feet precious teak every night.

A man trims a log before loading it on the truck. Wholesale illegal logging is going on in the reserve forests of the hill districts by a nexus of timber traders and allegedly forest officials. Photo: Star

There are three reserve forests in the district -- Matamuhuri Reserve Forest, Bamu Bilchhari Reserve Forest and Sangu Reserve Forest.
Lumberjacks have depleted two-thirds of Matamuhuri and Bamu forests unabatedly felling the valuable teak, mehgani and gamar trees. As many areas of Matamuhuri are not protected, at least 20 to 25 Chander Gari (locally modified 4x4 vehicle), trucks and boats laden with illegal timber pass through the Matamuhuri to Chittagong every night, locals allege.
Foresters under the Lama Forest Division engage local poor people in the theft of wood, they add.
The locals also blame a few influential timber traders from Bandarban and Chittagong for this daily plundering of the greens.
Timber merchants, who have been in the trade for a long time, allege the foresters on a few occasions seize illegally logged timber for eyewash.
Saw Hla Pru, timber trader and president of Bandarban Kathbabsayee Samity, blames the foresters for not protecting the reserve forests.
Contacted, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bandarban Aminul Islam denied the allegations.
The DFO said, “Our officials can't properly check the forests due to inaccessibility and insecurity. Shortage of manpower is another problem. As a result, trees from the forests are stolen sometimes."
During a visit to Sadhumock Para, Homkri Para and Ronin Para, a number of lumberjacks told The Daily Star they illegally cut down trees.
They also boasted of having "good understanding" with the foresters.