Mohammad Aman Ullah:
The government-owned reserved forest areas are being damaged by the black claws of organized mountain-cutters in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The encroachers are illegally cutting down mountains and constructing plots and constructing illegal structures including shops and houses. Due to this, there is a fear of loss of life due to landslides in heavy rains. On-site inspection showed that a grand campaign of illegal cutting of trees and mountains is going on in various areas including Jamtali, Uttarpukuria, Purba Digilia, Dargah Beel, Folipara, Douchhari, Harinmara, Bhalukiya, Inani, Jalia Palong, Ratnapalong, and other areas of Rajapalong Union of the upazila. Syndicate members are building 2 new houses next to the Uttarpukuria Mosque. At night, forest trees are cut from the Dauchhari area and taken to the brick kiln, and a local influential syndicate is cutting soil from the mountains. The picture is similar in the areas of Shilrachhara, Dargah Beel, Folipara, Harinmara, including the construction of duplex houses in Sadar Patabari.
According to relevant sources, at least 13 people died in landslides in various places in the Rohingya camps including Ukhia-Teknaf last year, but the concerned department did not budge. Large mountains are being cut down indiscriminately, forest trees are being smuggled, and sand is being extracted.
Ukhia Range Officer Mohammad Shahinur Islam Shahin said that a campaign is constantly underway to evict illegal structures in forest areas. The issue of cutting mountains in the Dail Para area has come to our attention. Necessary measures will be taken immediately
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