Free Ratargul swamp forest canal from encroachment

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (Bela) yesterday called on the government to take immediate steps to make all forest areas, including Ratargul swamp forest canal, free from encroachers and pollution.

They made the demand during a press conference at Muslim Sahitya Sangsad in Sylhet city.

Rasheda K Chowdhury, former adviser to a caretaker government; Prof Saleh Uddin Ahmed, vice chancellor of Sylhet Metropolitan University; E U Shahidul Islam Shahin, vice president of Bapa, Sylhet unit, Ronald Halder, international bird specialist, Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bapa, Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bapa, Sylhet unit addressed the conference, among others. Sayeda Rizwana Hasan, chief of Bela presided over the programme.

The speakers said lack of regular maintenance, rampant dredging and setting up of illegal structures are threatening the forests.

They said when they visited the Ratargul forest they found that many places have been encroached upon, which has led to pollution of large areas of the forest. They criticised the authorities for their indifference towards encroachment and pollution.

Rasheda K Chowdhury said, "The tranquility Ratargul swamp forest offers is invaluable. Birds chirping, submerged trees, boat ride through the forest -- all these things will turn any gloomy day into a cheerful one. But this time the scenario was completely different. The weather was fine, water level had risen significantly, but there was something new which was not supposed to be in the midst of such a unique forest, a six-storied watch tower, she said.

 Abdul Karim Kim said many development projects are currently underway. They are expected to be completed soon. In the very middle of a marshy land, blessed with amazingly beautiful flora, a concrete structure is certainly a thing he never expected to see, he said.