Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has announced that approximately 12,000 acres of forestland in Cox’s Bazar, previously allocated to various agencies, will be returned to the Forest Department.
Speaking to the media following a visit to the municipal garbage dumping site on the banks of the Bakkhali River, she said that steps will be taken to free Cox’s Bazar’s rivers, forests, and beaches from encroachment and pollution. No construction will be allowed in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) without proper authorization. No government or private construction will be considered without approval from the Department of Environment, Forest Department, and the District Administration.
The Advisor emphasized that any violations of regulations will be dealt with legally. “If we do not immediately curb the encroachment and pollution of the beach, it will soon turn into private property. We will not allow that to happen,” she warned.
She mentioned that, considering the limited timeframe, the current government is prioritizing several urgent actions. Already, 700 acres of forestland in Cox’s Bazar have been recovered. She added that construction on 150 acres of illegally occupied forestland by an individual is being halted, and 20 acres allocated for a football academy are being reclaimed. She also noted that she has requested the District Commissioner to recover 51 acres of land since assuming her responsibilities. Additionally, efforts are underway to return land allocated to BEZA on Sonadia Island to the Forest Department.
Present during the visit were Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Advisor to the Ministries of Shipping and Labour & 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. Senior officials from various government departments were also in attendance.