Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that approximately 12,000 acres of forestland in Cox’s Bazar, previously allocated to various agencies, will be returned to the Forest Department.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana shared this information during a visit to the municipal garbage dumping site on the banks of the Bakkhali River. She stated that measures will be implemented to free Cox’s Bazar’s rivers, forests, and beaches from encroachment and pollution.
Rizwana emphasized that no construction will be permitted in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) without the necessary approvals. She warned that both government and private constructions require clearance from the Department of Environment, Forest Department, and the District Administration. Any violations of these regulations will face legal action.
She expressed concerns over the potential privatization of beaches if encroachment and pollution are not controlled immediately. Rizwana underscored the interim government’s focus on urgent actions given the limited timeframe. Already, 700 acres of forestland have been recovered. She mentioned that construction on 150 acres of illegally occupied land by an individual is being stopped, and efforts are underway to reclaim 20 acres allocated for a football academy.
Rizwana has requested the Deputy Commissioner to recover 51 acres of land since taking on her responsibilities. Additionally, she noted efforts to return land allocated to BEZA on Sonadia Island to the Forest Department.
The announcement was made in the presence of several senior officials, including Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser to the Ministries of Shipping and Labour and Employment; Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources; Md. Salahuddin, Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar; Md. Saifuddin Shahin, Superintendent of Police; Molla Rezaul Karim, Conservator of Forests, Chattogram Forest Circle; and Rubaiya Afroze, Administrator of Cox’s Bazar Municipality.