Forest Department to get back 12,000 acres land in Cox’s Bazar: Rizwana 

Approximately 12,000 acres of forestland in Cox’s Bazar that were previously given to other agencies would be given back to the Forest Department, according to Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

She told reporters that measures will be done to remove pollution and encroachment from Cox’s Bazar’s rivers, woods, and beaches after visiting the municipal rubbish disposal site on the banks of the Bakkhali River here.

According to the environmental adviser, without permission, no construction will be permitted in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA).

“No government or private construction will be considered without approval from the Department of Environment, Forest Department, and the District Administration,” she warned. 

Rizwana said any violation 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 said.

Given the short timeline, she said, the interim administration is prioritizing a number of urgent measures.
700 acres of forestland in Cox’s Bazar have already been regained, Rizwana said, adding that 20 acres designated for a football academy are being reclaimed and that development is being stopped on 150 acres of forestland that an individual had unlawfully occupied.

She added that since taking on her duties, she has asked the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to return 51 acres of land.

Additionally, the adviser said, efforts are underway to return land allocated to BEZA on Sonadia Island to the Forest Department.
 
Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser 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 and senior officials from different government entities were present.