Lawacherra forestland freed from grabbers

Forest department recovered 32 acres of forestland from land grabbers and demolished many illegal structures and fruit orchards in Lawacherra National Park in Kamalganj upazila of the district.

They made the recovery during a three-day drive that began on January 6.

On April 1, 2015, the beat officer of Lawacherra forest submitted a petition to its range officer for recovering 87.20 acres of occupied forestland.

Environmentalists said if the grabbing continues Lawacherra will lose its biodiversity and one day the forest will face animal crisis.

Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan Sylhet unit, said the present situation reflects the poor management of forest department.

The illegal occupants built houses and several fruit orchards on those lands for over 40 years, clearing more than 150 acres of forestlands, said Tabibur Rahman, assistant conservator of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department in Moulvibazar.

More than 370 acres of forestland in Beracherra, Rashtila and Chatakcherra under Sreemangal upazila occupied by land grabbers in the last forty years are still to be recovered, Tabibur said.

Forest department has recovered about 32 acres of forestland in Baghmara area and demolished many illegal lemon and pineapple orchards there, added the forest official.

Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan alleged that a section of dishonest government officials help local influential people in illegal occupation of forestland.

We urged the government and the authorities concerned to protect Lawachhara forest imposing restrictions on such activities and mindless grabbing of the forestland, Jamil said.