Abu sayem, Cox’s Bazar: About 5.5 acres of forest land has been cleared and encroached upon during a drive to restore protected forest land in the Shamsurghona area of ?South Muhuri Para under the Link Road Bit Cum Check Station of the Cox`s Bazar Range under the jurisdiction of the Cox`s Bazar South Forest Division.During this time, more than thousands of betel nut seedlings, constructed poultry farms, and temporary fences and betel nut plantations were uprooted.The operation was conducted on Saturday (September 20) under the guidance of Md. Nurul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer of Cox`s Bazar South Forest Division, and under the overall supervision of Assistant Conservator of Forests Sadar, under the leadership of Sadar Range Officer Md. Habibul Haque.Staff and CPG members from Chainda, Kalatali, Kasturaghat and Linkroad Bit Cum Check Stations under Cox`s Bazar Range participated in the operation.

According to the Forest Department, 40.0 hectares of social forestry were created in 2007-2008. Out of which, the remaining 10.0 hectares of plantation were cut down by selling them through a standing tree tender in 2022-23. Basically, 2-3 gangs of forest robbers became active to take over that area.Sources further said that in such a situation, taking advantage of the country`s change of scenery after August 5, 2024, the activities of forest robbers have increased manifold. The Forest Department conducted operations before and after August 5 to prevent encroachment.Legal action was taken against the forest poachers involved.A forest official who participated in the operation at that time said that as the attempts to encroach continued, the Upazila Executive Officer, Cox`s Bazar Sadar, and the Assistant Commissioner (Land) also conducted several operations in cooperation with them.In the past few years, several operations have been conducted to prevent encroachment in the area and legal action has been taken. This is the second operation conducted in the last month and the encroached forest land has been recovered.
Sadar Range Officer Md. Habibul Haque said, "There is no opportunity for encroachment on protected forest land. The forest department is vigilant to rescue government forest land on the orders of higher authorities. Regular patrols have been strengthened to restore forest areas to forest."He also said, "As part of the daily operation, another operation has been conducted in the Shamsurghona area to prevent encroachment on protected forest lands. We have conducted two operations in this area in the last one month. Legal action is under process against those involved."
We have conducted two raids in this area in the last month. Legal action is being taken against those involved. Even continuous raids are not stopping the protected forest land.
Even with continuous campaigns, the protected forest land cannot be stopped. Still, we are carrying out repeated campaigns to restore the protected forest land with tolerance. Efforts will continue until the protected forest land is free from encroachment and to protect government resources.