The number of river and forest grabbers in the country is 2.32 lakh
The number of river and forest grabbers in the country is 2.32 lakh
Forests and rivers are being occupied all over the country. Although various initiatives have been taken by the government to recover forests and rivers, there is no way to stop it. These occupations are going on under the umbrella of influential people. The number of forest and river occupiers in the whole country is about 2 lakh 32 thousand. Sources in the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Shipping have given this information.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2 lakh 57 thousand 158 acres of forest land is under the illegal possession of 1 lakh 70 thousand 57 people. 88,215 people have occupied the protected forest land. They have 1 lakh 36 thousand 613 decimal 6 acres of reserved forest land in their possession.
According to a recent report submitted to a parliamentary committee, 182 people have set up factories and industries, including permanent ones, by occupying the protected forests. They have occupied 820 acres of reserved forest. Other institutions, such as hats, bazaars, shops, educational institutions, cottages, farms, resorts, etc., have occupied 4,914 acres of forest by 3,329 people. 57,408 people have made their homes in the protected forest. 26,308 people have occupied the forest for agriculture, gardening etc. without permanent establishment.
Among the other classified forest lands, 121 people have set up industries and factories occupying 901 acres of forest lands. In place of the forest, other institutions, such as hats, shops, educational institutions, cottages, farms, etc., 2222 people have occupied the forest. 52,429 people have made houses and dwellings. 16 thousand 56 people have occupied the forest land without any permanent establishment.
A deputy chief forest ranger of the Forest Department, who did not want to be named, told Barta24.com that many of the forest occupiers are influential. It is difficult to conduct a drive against them. Even then we are working to save the forest. However, he said that the eviction was being carried out on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the number of illegal occupants of small rivers, canals and reservoirs across the country was 45,095. Of these, 23,602 installations have been evicted. There are still 21,293 installations left. Although several initiatives have been taken to remove these installations, it has not been possible to implement them due to corona.
On the other hand, according to the river protection commission, the total number of river occupants is 49,623. According to the commission, Cumilla district is the most endangered of the 64 rivers in the country. There are 5,908 people occupying river land in this district. The second highest is Chittagong district. The occupants here are 4,604. Noakhali district is in the third position. There are 4,499 river occupants.
According to the report, there are 268 occupants in Cox's Bazar, 536 in Chandpur, 6 in Brahmanbaria, 301 in Feni, 1,159 in Laxmipur, 28 in Khagrachhari, 38 in Bandarban, 60 in Rangamati, 959 in Dhaka, 35 in 95 in Narayanganj, 5 in Munshiganj, Narsingdi 250, Madaripur 363, Gopalganj 540, Rajbari 28, Faridpur 1, 833, Tangail 1 thousand 6, Khulna 2 thousand 7, Narail 97, Kushtia 3 134, Magura 133, Jhenaidah 179, 4 in 189 224, Chuadanga 1,263, Bagerhat 2,157, Moulvibazar 417, Sylhet 330, Sunamganj 698, Habiganj 600, Mymensingh 2,489, Jamalpur 605, Netrokona 1,038, Rangpur 30, Sherpur 27, , 13 in Lalmonirhat, 52 in Kurigram, 306 in Thakurgaon, 133 in Panchagarh, 133 in Gaibandha, 28 in Rajshahi, 1964 in Natore, 1954 in Natore, 195 in Naogaon, 55 in Chapainawabganj, 360 in Pabna, 225 in Sirajganj, 225 in Barhamanbaria, 40 in Bogura, 40, 129 in Pirojpur, 999 in Patuakhali, Bhola 454 and Jhalakathi 203. The total occupants are 56,056. In the light of the recommendations of the commission, 17 thousand 6 people have been evicted so far. The concerned agencies of the government have taken over there. Whose rate is 30.09 percent.
In this regard, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury told Barta24.com that eviction of illegal occupants is an ongoing process. This eviction will continue. Whoever occupies the river will be evicted. Work is underway on a zero tolerance policy in this regard.
Regarding the conduct of eviction across the country, the State Minister said, "We are working to restore the river to its own form." A recent meeting of Deputy Commissioners has called for action against the river occupiers. Hopefully, eviction drives will be conducted across the country in a short time.
