Cox's Bazar: The government has revoked the allocation of 700 acres of forest land intended for the establishment of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academy of Public Administration in Cox's Bazar. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the decision followed a request from Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, aiming to preserve the forest land. A letter dated November 10, signed by Aminur Rahman, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Land, instructed the Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner to take necessary actions and report back to the Ministry of Land regarding this matter. The allocated land, located in Jhilanja Mouza of Cox's Bazar Sadar, comprises 400 acres of 'hill' and 300 acres of 'stream' land, both classified as part of a gazetted protected forest. Consequently, the allocation was canceled as per a press release from the ministry. On August 29, 2024, a semi-official letter from the environment adviser pointed out that the area has been recognized as protected forest und er Section 29 of the Forest Act, 1927, since 1935. This 2,145.02-acre forest area is populated with trees such as garjan, chapalish, and telsur and serves as a habitat for wildlife including elephants, monkeys, and wild boars. Reforestation efforts were initiated in 2011-12 and 2012-13 to mitigate the effects of climate change. Due to the absence of "protected forest" in official records, the Forest Department filed a case, and a writ petition was submitted to the High Court to annul the land allocation. The High Court issued a stay order on the allocation, which was later upheld by the Appellate Division. Jhilanja Union was declared an environmentally critical area in 1999, restricting activities such as tree felling and alterations to the natural landscape. The 700-acre protected forest is situated within this critical zone. In line with Article 18A of the Constitution and the UN Biodiversity Convention, the government is committed to forest conservation. Given that Bangladesh's forest cover is below the required level, such land allocations are considered contrary to public interest.
