Loggers slowly razing Bhatera reserve forest
The rapacious operation of looting of trees from Bhatera reserve forest in Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar is not only changing the landscape, but also threatening the delicate ecosystem.
According to Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation, Bhatera forest is situated on 2,542 acres of land.
But the forest, which is a habitat for many rare species of flora and fauna, is now facing a severe threat due to the rampant tree felling.
Police on Thursday night seized a truck (without any licence plate) loaded with at least 24 logs of illegally felled trees in Bhatera Station Bazaar near the forest.
They also held two Talamiz leaders Bodrul Amin, president of Bhatera Union Talamiz and Abul Hosain Mullah, president of Brahmanbaria Union Talamiz in this connection, said Riaz Uddin, bit officer of Bhatera forest. They were later released, he added.
Abul Hossain, the truck driver, said, the duo paid him for transporting the logs. When asked why the vehicle did not have any licence plate, he did not answer.
According to the forest officials, looting and selling of trees has been going on for a long time. At least 16 pieces of logs were seized in the same area last Friday, they added.
While visiting the area, this correspondent found several remains of trunks of the felled akashmoni and rain trees bearing testimony to the felling and plundering.
"We have lived in this forest for generations but are helpless before these gangs who regularly enter the forest and make away with trees chopped into three-feet logs to facilitate transportation," said Monir Uddin, a local of the area. “The loggers often threaten us whenever we try to stop them,” he said.
Locals claimed that the loggers were influential people of the area, who often entered the forest in large numbers and carried sharp weapons with them.
Md Abul Kashem Bhuyan, range officer of Kulaura, said they are faced with various problems like shortage of manpower and some unscrupulous persons are taking advantage of that.
“The forest is rich in rare species of plants and animals. But it is getting destroyed by the loggers. We must protect what is left to save the environment,” said Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, Sylhet unit.
Shamsuddoha, officer-in-charge of Kulaura Police Station, said, “We have seized the truck filled with logs and had held two Talamiz leaders for questioning.”
“We are investigating the matter and legal actions will be taken against the perpetrators,” said RFM Monirul Islam, divisional forest officer of the Sylhet Forest Division.
Contacted, Bodrul Amin said the allegations against him were false, while Abul Hosain Mullah could not be reached despite several attempts.
Comments