9,467 acres of land to be transferred to Forest Department from BEZA
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The government has taken the initiative to transfer 9,467 acres of land to the Forest Department in Sonadia that was allocated to BEZA during the Hasina rule for the establishment of an eco-tourism park.
Shahin Akter Sumi, Director of BEZA, requested the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar to take necessary steps in this regard. This initiative has been undertaken by the environment ministry, according to the ministry on Monday.
Earlier, the High Court last year stayed the previous government's decision to allocate the ecologically critical area at Sonadia Island in Cox's Bazar to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
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, said the ministry.
The initiatives include the 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 9,467-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.