by Mintu Deshwara in The Daily Star, Oct 7, 2023
Out of 50 sawmills located in Madhabpur upazila in Habiganj, 40 lack necessary documentation from relevant departments. These sawmills have been established within a 10-kilometre radius of protected and social forest areas.
Consequently, it is leading to depletion of valuable forest resources. Locals are concerned that if the trend persists, the existence of both social and protected forest areas could be jeopardised.
According to the Forest Department Act, setting up sawmills within 10km of forest area is prohibited. Yet, there are more than 20 sawmills within this area.
Such sawmills have been set up inside protected social forests, on forest edges, and even near the offices of forest officials, said Khalilur Rahman, Raghurandan range officer of the Forest Department.
Climate researcher Dr Ashraful said wildlife is being destroyed as a result of deforestation. The natural environment is under threat, which is greatly affected by climate change.
Usman Mia, president of Social Forestry Committee, said various trees are being illegally sold by unauthorised sawmills from social forests.
Meanwhile, legitimate sawmill owners complained that they are suffering due to illegal mills.
Tree felling and wood cutting are going on in these illegal sawmills under the nose of the range office, alleged Tofazzal Sohel, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, Habiganj unit.
When contacted about this, Khalilur Rahman did not comment on the issue.
Upazila Forest and Environment Committee President and UNO Manjur Ahsan said they have continued to operate mobile courts to stop illegal sawmills.
“I have already ordered the closing of one sawmill located on the side of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Andiura union,” he said.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/illegal-sawmills-posing-threat-reserve-forests-3436646
