‘Need environment-friendly master plan to save Cox’s Bazar’

Influential quarters are involved with these. They have to be identified. We have to change our political culture to save Cox's Bazar.

— Sultana Kamal Eminent rights activist

Cox's Bazar is losing its natural diversity and characteristics due to unplanned development. The overall biodiversity of the area is on the verge of destruction, speakers said yesterday.

They made the comments at a seminar, titled "Determining what to do to protect the environment of distressed Cox's Bazar", held in the beach town.

Besides adopting the environment-friendly master plan, political goodwill and commitment are essential to save Cox's Bazar from endangerment, they said.

The programme was jointly organised by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), Department of Environment, Daily Samakal and four NGOs -- Nijera Kori, ALRD, Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation and YES.

Rights activist Sultana Kamal said, "Here [Cox's Bazar] rivers are being encroached, hills are being cut down, swamp forests (parabon) are being cleared. The influential quarters involved with these have to be identified. "

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bela, suggested applying strict conditions on the sale and purchase of land in St Martin's Island, formulating a guideline for tourists, starting a hotline to stop hill-cutting and sand extraction, and active initiative of the district administration to protect Cox's Bazar.