Environ ministry takes up afforestation programme for Sylhet region
OUR CORRESPONDENT | Thursday, 17 October 2019
SYLHET, Oct 16: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken up a major afforestation programme for the Sylhet region.
All the four districts - Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sunamganj - are included in the programme for expanding the forest area.
The ECNEC approved the much-desired project at its October 15 meeting. The five-year project would cost Tk 700 million.
Besides through mixed afforestation protection of biodiversity, protection of wild animals would be possible, the official said, adding, the project implementation is set to be completed by 2024.
At present, there are 70,321.61 hectares of forestland in Sylhet region. The new project includes afforestation of another 3700 hectares of land, development of 19 water bodies and construction of some infrastructures in the region, the official added. The afforestation would be done on the barren hillocks of the department.
Under the project, some offices would be constructed for Divisional Forest officer, Assisatnt Forest Officer, four Range offices and four Beat offices. Besides, 1000 metre RCC road and 300 metre side roads would be constructed.
On the other hand, there would be emphasis on protection of the naturally grown saplings, setting of block orchards, afforestation on roads, setting of Agar orchards and setting of bamboo clusters and cane orchards at different places.
It may be stated here that there had been a long tradition of cane and agar farming in the different areas of greater Sylhet, but in recent years things were on decline.
However, more than 60 out of 400 hillocks in the region had been levelled by influential quarters at places during the last few years while stealing of matured trees from the forest lands by organised gangs had been going on often. Allegations are there that a section of forest officials are involved with the plundering as some corrupt officials in the law enforcement agencies.