The government has canceled the settlement of 700 acres of forest land settled in favor of the Ministry of Public Administration for the establishment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academy of Public Administration. Following the request of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, this allocation of forest land has been cancelled. The Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar has been requested to send a report to the Ministry of Lands through a letter sent on November 10 signed by Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Lands Aminur Rahman.
Jhelongja Mouja of Sadar Upazila of Cox’s Bazar District, which was settled in favor of the Ministry of Public Administration for the establishment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academy of Public Administration, is of BS 1 registered BS 25001 grade of ‘Pahar’ grade 400 acres and 300 acres of BS 25010 mark of ‘Chhara’ class totaling 700 acres of land under gazetted protected forest, this settlement is hereby canceled by order. On 29 August 2024, the Environment Advisor sent a semi-official letter in this regard. According to the letter sent by the adviser, the settled area has been declared as a protected forest under Section 29 of the Forest Act, 1927 since 1935.
In this 2 thousand 145.2 acres of land, there are different species of plants including garjan, chapalish, telsur and various animals like elephants, monkeys, wild boars. Afforestation activities were conducted in this forest land in 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial years to combat the effects of climate change. The forest department filed a case in this regard as there was no mention of ‘protected forest’ in the records. Besides, a writ petition seeking annulment of land settlement was also filed in the High Court. The High Court Division granted a stay on the settlement which was upheld by the Appellate Division.
In 1999, Jhelongja Union was declared as an ecologically sensitive area, and the alteration of natural features, including cutting of forest trees, was prohibited. 700 acres of protected forest is also included in this critical area. Article 18(a) of the Constitution and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity contain a commitment to forest conservation. As the amount of forest land in the country is less than the requirement, this settlement is against public interest.
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