Denudation of coastal forests
ONE should feel heartened by the remarks of the shipping minister warning stern action against those indulging in plundering trees in the Sitakund coastal area to set up ship breaking yards. We are, however, disappointed by the denial made by the local MP present at the meeting, terming the matter as media misinformation, further adding that they are the 'victims of media propaganda.'
The MP's comment is not surprising; it is in keeping with the traditional approach of some powerful
quarters to any media coverage that exposes wrongdoings pointing to abuse of power.
The point at issue involves two very serious
matters that have to do with the ecology as well as health and physical safety of the people, of the area in particular.
It is shocking to see the remorseless plundering of forests, in the coastal belt in Sitakund area, which were developed to provide protection to the coastal area against storm surge. Cutting down of the trees will seriously threaten the area and leave it vulnerable for along time. Even if the land was reforested, trees will not grow overnight
And the trees were felled to make way for building ship breaking yards, another enterprise that has mushroomed indiscriminately and which is posing a threat to the ecology; and there is very little effort, if any, to regulate their activity. The owners do not subscribe to any safety regulation, either in terms of the type of ship they can break or in terms of providing safe working conditions for their workers. In the last several years a large number of workers have lost their lives due to this.
For us it is case of double jeopardy. And the minister should not only warn of action but actually
initiate actions also, which will discourage others as well as hold to account the perpetrators, allegedly related to the local MP.
Rather than blaming the media the case be looked into seriously to identify the culprits. Everything must be done to bring the wrongdoers to book and send the message to all that these people shall not be allowed to act with impunity regardless of their political connection.
Comments