Wildlife under threat

A rail bridge at Lawachhara National Park goes over a dried up stream. The lack of water is affecting the wild life of the nature reserve in Moulvibazar. Photo: Star

Faced with an acute shortage of water, the animals in Lawachhara rain forest in Moulvibazar are entering nearby villages in search of water, sometimes coming under attack from the villagers.
The streams in the forest have run dry quite rapidly in recent years. As a result, the wildlife of one of the most diversified rain forests in the country are now under threat of extinction.
According to the forest department, some 14 to 15 streams serve as the source of water for the wild animals in the forest. The streams snake along in areas such as Jankichhara, Depalchhara, Jagchhara and Bagmarachhara in the forest.
Stretching over approximately 1,250 hectares of land, Lawachhara rain forest is home to a large variety of flora and fauna.
Located at Kamalganj upazila of the district, the forest was declared a national park by the government on July 7, 1996, under the Wildlife Act of 1974.
Among the animals that inhabit the forest are leopards, deer, jungle fowls, wild boars, squirrels, monkeys, pythons and king cobras.
Coupled with the dearth of water is the ongoing drought that makes them further vulnerable to extinction.
Three decades ago, the streams in the forest had enough water all the year round. Rampant felling of trees over the years has led to erosion of soil in the forest, said sources in the forest department.
“During the last rainy season, huge amounts of soil eroded and filled up the streams in the forest, reducing their capacity for water retention drastically,” said District Forest Officer (Wildlife) Mahbubur Rahman on Wednesday.
Between October and April every year, the streams become dry, he added.
Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon in Sylhet and an environmental activist, said the authorities concerned should dig ponds in the forest to retain water and protect the wildlife.
“Temporary embankments in the streams for five to six months can to some extent meet the wild animals' need for water,” he added.
Md Mortuza Ali, range officer of the forest, on Wednesday told The Daily Star that some of the wild animals are being extinct due to shortage of water.
There are only two ponds in the forest, said the district forest officer, adding that more ponds are necessary for providing the animals with enough water.
A proposal to build more ponds has already been sent to the authorities concerned, he mentioned.
In 2008, the Bangladesh government permitted US-based oil company Chevron Corporation to conduct a 3D seismic exploration in the forest.
The explosions carried out in the forest as part of Chevron's survey are believed to have scared many animals away.
On May 7 the same year, a hoolock gibbon reportedly died after jumping onto an electric cable in an attempt to flee the forest. Damage to nearby residential buildings due to the tremors induced by the blasts was also reported.
Environmentalists think that the survey has had a long-term adverse impact on the forest.