LGED, forest dept at odds over constructing a paved road

OUR CORRESPONDENT | Published: July 08, 2026 22:00:47

COX'S BAZAR, July 08: A tug of war has broken out between the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Forest Department over the construction of a
4.88-kilometre paved road through the Shaplapur Reserved Forest in Maheshkhali upazila
of Cox's Bazar.
The road project, estimated to cost around Tk 220 million and financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has sparked controversy after the Forest Department objected to the work, citing legal restrictions on development activities inside reserved forests.
Local residents, however, argue that the road is essential for ending their longstanding transportation hardships. The project is being implemented under the Southern Chattogram Regional Development Project (SCRDP), with LGED undertaking the upgrading of the JM Ghat-Kalarmarchhara connecting road.
According to the Forest Department, no prior approval was obtained for carrying out construction inside the protected forest.
The issue drew further attention after local Member of Parliament Alomgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid sent a demi-official (DO) letter requesting the Forest Department to cooperate with the project.
In response, the department stated in writing that no paved road can be constructed within a reserved forest without approval from the Prime Minister, as required under existing laws.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) on July 2 sent letters to the Forest Department, LGED and seven other government agencies, urging them to stop the construction work and take effective measures to protect the reserved forest.
In its letter, BELA described Maheshkhali as Bangladesh's only hilly island with a protected natural forest, saying that Mouza No. 12 is one of the country's ecologically significant forest areas. According to BELA, Gazette Notification No. 2529 issued in 1954 transferred 18,286.40 acres of land to the Forest Department for 100 years. Later, Gazette Notification No. 1222 issued in 1957 officially declared the area a reserved forest. Current Record of Rights (RS and BS records) also lists the entire forest under the ownership of the Forest Department.
The organisation noted that the forest provides habitat for deer, monkeys, pythons and numerous species of birds. It alleged that LGED recently began demolishing an old culvert inside the forest without obtaining permission from the Forest Department.
After learning about the matter, the Maheshkhali Range Office instructed the contractor to suspend all construction activities lacking approval and remove construction materials from the site. The Forest Department, however, alleges that attempts have continued to proceed with the work despite the directive.
Forest officials fear that converting the road into a concrete structure would require tree felling, hill cutting, increased human intrusion into the forest and destruction of wildlife habitats. They also warn that it could facilitate illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and land encroachment.
A visit to the project site found that the road stretches from JM Ghat in Shaplapur Union to Kalarmarchhara, passing through hilly terrain and dense forest, although some sections also run through relatively flat areas with scattered settlements.
While LGED officials claimed that construction had been suspended, workers were seen carrying out construction activities in some non-forest sections. Concrete casting and culvert construction have already been completed on parts of the road.
Local residents say the road is crucial for improving communication between Shaplapur, Kalarmarchhara and surrounding villages.
Nurul Alam, a resident of Shaplapur, said travelling on the road becomes extremely difficult during the monsoon.
"It is very hard to transport patients to hospitals, send students to schools and colleges, or carry agricultural produce to local markets. A paved road would greatly benefit thousands of people," he said.
Another resident, Mizanur Rahman of Kalarmarchhara, said, "We do not want the forest to be destroyed. At the same time, we need a durable road for public use. If an environmentally friendly design can be adopted, that would be the best solution."
Shaplapur Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Khaleque said the road has been a long-standing demand of people in both unions.
"Development is necessary, but so is also forest conservation. All relevant authorities should sit together and find a lawful and environmentally sustainable solution," he said.
HM Faridul Alam Shaheen, joint convener of the Cox's Bazar chapter of Dharitri Rokkhay Amra (DHARA), said destruction of a reserved forest in the name of development is unacceptable.
He said environmental impact assessments should have been given greater importance before implementing a project financed by an international development partner such as JICA. "It is unfortunate that at a time when the government is implementing nationwide afforestation and forest conservation programmes, a Member of Parliament has issued a DO letter supporting road construction inside a reserved forest," he added.
Maheshkhali Range Officer Humayun Kabir said clearing reserved forest land for development activities or infrastructure construction constitutes a punishable offence under existing laws.
"We have repeatedly requested LGED in writing to stop the work, but our instructions have not been fully complied with," he said.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Chattogram Coastal Forest Division MA Hasan said that although people may have traditionally used the existing route, the law does not permit converting it into a paved road inside a reserved forest.
"Such a project would increase human intrusion into the forest and threaten trees and wildlife," he said.
He added that several official letters had already been sent to LGED and warned that legal action under the Forest Act would be taken if construction continues.
"Any development project inside a reserved forest requires approval from the head of government," he said.
Maheshkhali Upazila Engineer Boni Amin Jony said the road is officially enlisted as an LGED road and that the initiative was taken in response to long-standing public demand.
"Construction has slowed because of the Forest Department's objections. We have informed our higher authorities about the matter," he said.
tahjibulanam18@gmail.com