Dhaka, 17 March 2025:
The government has taken the initiative to transfer 9 thousand 467 acres of land in Sonadia, Maheshkhali Upazila, Cox’s Bazar, to the Forest Department to protect the environment and biodiversity of the area.
The process of transferring the land, previously allocated to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for the establishment of an eco-tourism park, to the Forest Department has begun.
Director (Investment Development and Monitoring-1) of BEZA Shahin Akter Sumi requested the Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar to take necessary steps in this regard yesterday. This initiative has been undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Illegal activities such as tree cutting and shrimp farming on the allocated land have caused severe damage to the island’s environment and biodiversity. In light of this situation, the decision has been made to transfer the allocated land to the Forest Department. Various measures will be taken to restore the environment of the 9 thousand 467-acre forest area. The initiatives include: Eviction of illegal encroachments, Removal of barriers at the mouths and branches of canals to facilitate tidal water flow, Restoration of sand dunes and beach conservation, Reforestation with various mangrove and non-mangrove species such as kaw, keya, nishinda, coconut, palm, and gotivanga along connecting roads, Rehabilitation of degraded mangrove forests.
Additionally, the 9 thousand 467-acre forest area will be declared a protected area with public participation. This will ensure biodiversity conservation, halt illegal activities, and bring positive changes in tackling natural disasters.
