Govt restores 25,000 acres of encroached forest land in three years

In the last three years, some 24,322 acres of illegally encroached forest land has been restored, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin revealed on Saturday.

The government has restored and afforested these lands from October 2020 to August 2023.

The minister responding to journalists after unveiling the newly built mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the Dokhla Range of Madhupur National Park in Tangail under the Ecotourism Development and Sustainable Management Project.

"The reclamation of illegal forest land is ongoing and campaigns will continue against those who occupy the forest land without valid documents," he added.

"Our country has 22.37 per cent forest land, which should be increased to 25 per cent. For this, common people should come forward along with the government. Creating awareness among people will reduce illegal encroachment and encourage people to plant trees," the minister said.

In this regard, he turned to the media for assistance.

Among others, the Minister of Agriculture Md Abdur Razzaque, lawmaker from Tangail 8 Constituency Md Joaherul Islam, Deputy Chief Forest Conservator Gobind Roy and Central Circle Forest Conservator Hossain Muhammad Nishad, were also present.