[object Object]

The Forest Department in Bangladesh has filed a case against 20 people, including local leaders from the opposition BNP and the ruling Awami League, for allegedly engaging in illegal tree felling and timber trading within the ecologically significant Satchari National Park in Habiganj. The case was lodged at the Chunarughat Police Station following directives from the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

“

The accused had been illegally felling trees and damaging the reserved forest for a long time.

According to the case statement, trees were illegally felled from the reserved forest in Paikpara union between January 12, 2023, and May 15, 2024. The felled timber was subsequently stolen and traded. The Forest Department claims the case was based on confidential intelligence reports identifying the individuals involved in these illicit activities. Md Mobarak Hossain, range officer of Satchari Wildlife Range, confirmed the filing of the case and assured that legal proceedings would commence.

Maruf Mia, the member secretary of the Chunarughat upazila Chhatra Dal (BNP's student wing), has been identified as the prime accused. Other individuals named in the case include Shafiqul Islam Abul, president of the Satchari National Park co-management committee and a BNP leader; Shafiq Mia Mahalder, senior joint convener of Chunarughat upazila Jubo Dal (BNP's youth wing); Jahangir Khan, joint convener of the upazila Sramik Dal (BNP's labor wing); Karim Sarkar, organising secretary of upazila BNP; and Mizanur Rahman Sohag, general secretary of Mirashi Union Krishak League (Awami League's farmer wing). Several timber traders are also implicated.

“

I have no involvement whatsoever. I am a nature lover and have been working on nature and biodiversity for about 20 years.

Mobarak Hossain alleged that the accused have been involved in illegal tree felling and damaging the reserved forest for an extended period. Shafiqul Islam Abul, however, denied any involvement, claiming the allegations were an attempt to tarnish his reputation and asserting his long-standing commitment to nature conservation. Repeated attempts to contact Maruf Mia and other Awami League-linked accused were unsuccessful. Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Abul Kalam reiterated the department's zero-tolerance policy, vowing to identify and bring all perpetrators to justice, regardless of political affiliation.

“

The Forest Department has a zero-tolerance policy.