Rohingyas destroying Chunati wildlife sanctuary in Cox’s Bazar

The Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, positioned in Cox’s Bazar, was declared a sanctuary in 1986, encompassing 7,764 hectares of forest land within the huge space of Lohagara upazila, on the west facet of the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar freeway. Referred to as a secure hall for Asian elephants, it was beforehand often called the Chunati Reserve Forest. The sanctuary was established primarily to guard the wealthy biodiversity of the forest and protect its wildlife. As soon as residence to majestic timber, elephants, leopards, deer, wildebeests, and unique birds, Chunati Sanctuary was a thriving pure habitat and a crucial breeding floor for Asian elephants.

Nevertheless, the sanctuary is now dealing with extreme threats as a result of human encroachment. Regardless of rules prohibiting homesteads, farming, or cultivation to make sure the unhindered motion of wildlife, a settlement of half one million folks has been constructed, occupying about 4 and a half thousand acres of forest land. Many of those settlements are Rohingya villages, resulting in a big decline in wildlife populations and the destruction of biodiversity.

Locals report a rampant land-grabbing phenomenon inside the sanctuary, facilitated by native leaders of the ruling get together and officers from the forest division. These people have allegedly allowed a whole lot of Rohingya households, who fled from Myanmar, to construct homesteads within the forest in trade for tens of millions of rupees. Consequently, Chunati has develop into extra of a Rohingya sanctuary slightly than a wildlife sanctuary. This encroachment has diminished the habitat vary for Asian elephants and different wildlife, severely hampering their replica. Moreover, elephants are more and more coming into localities, inflicting harm to crops and infrequently resulting in human casualties.

Unlawful settlements are most prevalent within the Aziznagar, Chunti, and Harbang areas, the place roughly 2,000 households, primarily Rohingya, reside unlawfully. Not too long ago, a brand new Rohingya village with over 500 households was established within the Gaynakata, Kalatali, and Goda areas of Dolumon, adjoining to the Aziznagar Bonbit space beneath the Chunati vary. Locals declare that these developments had been orchestrated by Tofail Ahmed, the final secretary of the Harbang Union Volunteer League, who is named the “king of the sanctuary.” It’s alleged that between 100,000 to 500,000 taka was taken from every household for these settlements.

Tofail Ahmed has over 20 circumstances towards him beneath the Forest Act, in response to Bonbit officers. Locals recall that 10-15 years in the past, the dense forest within the Kalatali space was so intimidating that folks had been afraid to stroll alone. Now, it’s surrounded by Rohingya properties.

Equally, beneath the management of Awami League councilors Abu Taher, Ismail, and Sharafat within the Chunati Chew Ward, Rohingya settlements have been established in Ghazalia, Khachhar Pukur, Paglir Goda, Kulpagli, Rashidar Ghona, Dhulinya, Muranghata, and Hasinyakata close to the BITE workplace. This has been achieved by slicing down centuries-old timber similar to shal, gorjan, and teak at nighttime.

Lots of of Rohingya households have occupied the sanctuary in Villagerpara, Ichachhari, Gyalmara, and Deba Nabunbazar of Bhandari beneath the Harbang Bonbit. Abdul Malek, the final secretary of Ward No. 8, Awami League, is claimed to have colluded with the Forest Division to facilitate this unlawful occupation. Beneath his management, quite a few timber within the sanctuary have been felled, and homesteads and fishing initiatives have been developed on forest division land.

The presence of Rohingya settlements within the Chunati forest has additionally led to a rise in thefts, robberies, and several other murders throughout the upazila, with proof pointing to the involvement of Rohingya people. It’s alleged that for the previous 15-20 years, some native authorities leaders and a syndicate of forest division brokers, with the connivance of forest division officers, have been encroaching on the sanctuary. Everlasting residents of the forest accuse dishonest vary officer Mahmud Hossain of direct involvement within the current unlawful settlements. Since becoming a member of, he’s stated to have earned tens of millions by promoting timber from the sanctuary and rehabilitating the Rohingya. Mahmud Hossain, the Chunati Vary Officer, admitted that some Rohingya households had occupied forest land and constructed homes, however he blamed native politicians and influential folks for this. He denied allegations that forest officers had been colluding with wooden smugglers and unlawful encroachers.

Chittagong Divisional Officer of Chunati Wildlife and Sanctuary Rafiqul Islam acknowledged that he had not acquired any such complaints. He talked about that if Rohingyas had encroached, the administration would take duty. Admitting the unlawful occupation for a very long time, he stated efforts are being made to evict the unlawful settlers with the assistance of the administration. Motion might be taken towards these concerned if proof of unlawful occupation and tree slicing in trade for cash is discovered.

Anwar Kamal, president of the co-management committee of the sanctuary, stated that with the assistance of dishonest forest division officers, greater than 4 and a half thousand acres of Chunati sanctuary have been encroached upon, and building of homes is ongoing. Within the final two years, about 1,000 acres of land have been cleared. Human rights activist Sultana Kamal, a former adviser to the caretaker authorities, expressed deep concern, stating that the Chunati Sanctuary is now in tatters. She emphasised that within the identify of state improvement, the harm induced to the sanctuary by slicing by the center of it’s unjustifiable. The forest, now restricted to a reputation, faces extreme threats to its fundamental ecology because of the lack of outdated timber and human dominance.

The scenario at Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary requires pressing motion to revive its ecological stability, defend its biodiversity, and make sure the secure habitat of its wildlife, particularly the endangered Asian elephants.

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