DHAKA, July 25, 2018 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud today said around 5,000 acres of forest were
destroyed in Cox’s Bazar due to rehabilitation of forcibly displaced
Rohinghya people.
“Actually, the environmental situation of Cox’s Bazar district is very
critical…forests on about 5,000 acres of land have been destroyed in the
district,” he said while briefing reporters after participating at the
today’s first session of the three-day DC conference at the Secretariat here.
Anisul Islam said: “Under this circumstance, we are planning to supply
alternative fuel to the Rohingyas to stop felling trees in the district.”
He said importance has also been given on afforestation aiming to restore
forest in the damaged area.
The Environment Minister said different environmental issues, including
hill cutting, leasing and grabbing of forest land, and river pollution and
grabbing, were discussed at the session today.
About the consequence of landslide in Cox’s Bazar, he said cutting trees
indiscriminately is the main reason behind landslides, adding that permanent
eviction of settlers from hill slopes can only check causalities in landslide
incidents.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdullah Al
Islam Jacob, Secretary-in-Charge of the ministry Abdullah Al Mohsin
Chowdhury, Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE) Dr Sultan
Ahmed and Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Mohammad Shafiul Alam Chowdhury
were, among others, present.