Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has said that the government is committed to restoring the degraded Sal forests of Madhupur. She announced that Sal trees will be planted on 750 acres this year and on 6,610 acres over the next three years.
She added that alongside Sal, companion trees are also being planted with the active involvement of the local community. She made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion program held at Dokhla in Madhupur National Park, Tangail, marking the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The Advisor said that boundary demarcation of the Sal forest is underway, and boundary pillars have already been installed in the Rajabari area. “Only Sal trees will be allowed in the Sal forest,” she said. “Out of every 100 trees, 70 will be Sal and 30 will be companion species—no foreign species will be allowed.”
She further announced the withdrawal of 129 cases but clarified that cases involving forestland encroachment or assault on forest officials would not be withdrawn. “No harassment of local communities will be tolerated,” she said, directing forest officials accordingly. “This is not a promise—this is a declaration.”
She emphasized that forest-friendly programs will be undertaken to prevent deforestation and that the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities will be protected. Addressing the Garo community, she said, “You cannot cultivate pineapple or banana on hundreds of acres using harmful pesticides and hormones that damage the Sal forest.”
She also stated, “No one—rich or poor—will receive forest land plots. Landless or river erosion-affected people will be rehabilitated on khas land, not in forest areas.”
Before the discussion, the Advisor launched the Sal forest restoration program by planting 1,000 Sal saplings with local students. She later inaugurated the project titled “Restoration of Madhupur Sal Forest through Community Participation” in Rajabari area and released peafowl and Koi fish in the Sal forest and nearby ponds.
Earlier in the day, she officially inaugurated the Land Fair and the campaign to plant 500,000 trees by releasing balloons at the premises of the Tangail Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The event was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury. Renowned wildlife expert Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan attended as the keynote speaker. Also present were Mr. Md. Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Professor Dr. Firoz Zaman of the Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, former president of Joyenshahi Adivasi Parishad of Madhupur Mr. Ajay Mree, and current president Mr. Eugene Nokrek.