The ongoing photo exhibition titled Stolen Forests, organised by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), at Drik Gallery highlights what Bangladesh has lost from its unique forest patches. Photographs by Philip Gain and Ronald Haldar also reflect the wildlife and lifestyle of the indigenous communities living in the woodlands.

Deforestation is not unique in Bangladesh. But what's happening in our country needs a little explanation. A brochure published by SEHD reads: "The introduction of plantations -- monoculture of teak, rubber, eucalyptus and acacia -- has horrendous consequences on native forests. In Modhupur, invasive species have made their way into the forestland under the guise of 'social forestry' that is plantation is essence. Here 'social forestry' that was initiated in 1889-90 was preceded by rubber monoculture that destroyed a significant part of the sal forests.

"Except for the Sundarbans, monoculture plantations have rapidly expanded in recent times in all forest regions of Bangladesh...We have very disturbing statistics here -- the country's official eighteen percent public forestland has shrunk to approximately six percent that includes the mangrove forests and the plantations.

"In many countries including Bangladesh 'less productive' forestlands are targeted for plantations. However, what is often branded as 'less productive' is actually native forest that has immense social, cultural, traditional, educational, medicinal and environmental value. In Bangladesh while the plantation projects are implemented by the government, they are financed mostly by international financial institutions -- Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank. The promotion of plantation economy, officially sanctioned logging, reservation, settlement of Bengalis in the CHT etc are some of the major factors that underlie the destruction of the forests and the misery of the forest-dwelling ethnic minorities."

While Ronald Haldar's photos highlight our unique forests and the life forms they support, Philip Gain focuses on how the forests of Bangladesh have been robbed of their native species.

A photo by Gain shows an illegal banana plantation in Modhupur. The area was cleared of all vegetation a few years back. Overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and hormones have had such an impact on the area that it bears no mark of the sal forest that it once was. Another image by Gain frames a picturesque Tanchangya village in a remote area in Rangamati. Other photos by Gain feature an elderly Chak women at Baishari in Naikhongchhori, Bandarban (the Chaks are one of the least known and very small ethnic communities in the region); a Mru mother and her child (also taken in Bandarban) and Ringworm shrubs, locally known as 'Dadmardan' -- a herb used for medicinal purposes (shot in CHT).

An Indian Pied Hornbill in all its glory is the subject of one of Haldar's photos. Another image by him features the swamp forests of Tanguar Haor that supports a wide variety of aquatic plants including water lilies. A photo, also by Haldar, shows dark caves in Bandarban, that are homes to a large population of bats -- an important component of the local ecosystem.

Everyday objects including musical instruments used by the indigenous communities living in the woodlands are on display at the exhibition. Documentaries -- Our Sal Forest, Stolen Forests, Teardrops of Karnaphuli, The Story of Baikka Beel, Khumi Lives and more -- on the forestlands and the local ethnic communities, are also being screened at Drik as part of the exhibit.

The exhibition will end on May 24.