Field-level officials asked to act against hill cutting, felling of forest trees

The environment ministry has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to take necessary steps to stop deforestation and illegal hill cutting and evict illegal forest occupants to protect the environment.

“A lot of cooperation is needed from the DCs and we have provided them with guidance in this regard,” said Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin.

The directive was given at the first session of the second day of the DC Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Wednesday. 

“Deputy commissioners will take necessary steps to stop the cutting of hills and felling of trees to protect the environment.  We have sought their cooperation in closing down the illegal brickfields so that no illegal occupants can occupy the forest,” the minister said.

“The ministry has already issued an official letter to the deputy commissioners to reclaim the occupied forest land,” he said, adding the government has complete data of occupied land across the country.

"Our target is to build 16 per cent forest land by 2030 for achieving SDG. We sought cooperation from DCs for 16 per cent afforestation as we have 14.1 per cent forest land now,” the minister continued.

Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal, Director General of Environment Department Md. Ashraf Uddin and Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury was present on the occasion.

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