Protect Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary

Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary is the first wildlife sanctuary in Bangladesh. It is located in south-eastern region (comprising an area of 7,763.94 hectares, covering 7 forest beats in Chunati and Jaldi Forest Ranges). Forest land inside the sanctuary has been encroached for agriculture, betel leaf cultivation, and building brickfields and settlements. The local political leaders are directly or indirectly associated with the forest grabbing. There are 70 settlements (locally called paras) in 15 villages in and around the sanctuary. The sanctuary has now a few scattered patches of garjan trees. Presently, several restoration and conservation programmes are going on in the sanctuary initiated by Bangladesh Forest Department and local, national and international development partners. The government should take immediate and appropriate steps for the conservation of the sanctuary.