Photo: Collected
While much of the world focuses on afforestation to combat the adverse impacts of climate change, our country's forests are facing destruction due to various reasons. According to a report, influential individuals and private organisations are contributing to deforestation under the guise of implementing government development projects. Statistics reveal that, instead of the recommended 25 percent forest cover for environmental balance, our country currently has only 10.74 percent. Experts argue that while these figures may appear in official records, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Forest and environmental researchers express concern, attributing the degradation of forests to officials and employees entrusted with their protection, who often collude with private entities for personal gain. Sources from the Ministry of Environment acknowledge that hundreds of officers and employees involved in deforestation have faced disciplinary action.
It has been reported that Cox's Bazar alone has witnessed a staggering 24.33 percent deforestation in recent years. Of this, 10 percent was attributed to Rohingya refugees, while the remaining 90 percent was caused by local inhabitants. Despite budget allocations and afforestation initiatives, the efforts are faltering due to inadequate maintenance. For instance, in the fiscal year 2022-2023, the country planted 7 crore 90 lakh 85 thousand 600 tree saplings, but a significant portion failed to survive. Furthermore, there are concerns about the effectiveness of forest protection laws, with allegations of weaknesses that cast doubts on their implementation.
We believe that besides stringent and updated legal provisions for safeguarding forest areas, responsible conduct from all stakeholders is crucial. Although forests are typically designated under the jurisdiction of the forest department, it's the responsibility of deputy commissioners to ensure their protection. Therefore, it's imperative to investigate why district administrators are unable to effectively fulfil this duty. Additionally, allegations of various activities leading to forest destruction, such as unplanned development, allocation of land for public and private industries near forests, irregularities, corruption, and illegal occupation of forest land, need thorough verification. It's evident that if those tasked with protecting forest resources and land become involved in their exploitation, it poses a grave threat to the environment. Individuals involved in encroaching upon and destroying forest land, including forest workers aiding such activities, should face punishment following a proper investigation. If there's a lack of commitment from the department to forest protection, it's crucial to identify the underlying reasons and take appropriate measures to rectify the situation for the environment's sake.
Alongside efforts to plant new trees, it's crucial to implement measures aimed at restoring degraded forest land. Moreover, it's important to study the conservation strategies adopted by other nations worldwide and consider adopting those that align with our climate conditions. It's imperative not to overlook the threats faced by forests and wildlife due to rampant deforestation. Therefore, it is essential for the government to launch effective initiatives aimed at safeguarding the environment, wildlife, and forest resources.
Messenger/Fameema
