COX'S BAZAR, Dec 17 (BSS): The South Forest Department has recovered 60 acres of encroached land of reserved forest in Ramu.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Cox's Bazar South Forest Department, Abdullah Al Mamun, said the forest department, in coordination with the upazila administration and law enforcement agencies, conducted a drive on Wednesday in Khuniapalong Union of Ramu Upazila following instructions from Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
According to locals, an organised group had occupied about 200 acres of reserved forest land in Khuniapalong Union, developed plots, and sold them to various individuals.
They also established betel nut plantations, orchards, and homesteads by cutting trees and leveling hills within the forest land. Additionally, the group has been extracting sand by installing machinery inside the reserved forest for a long time, residents said.
Local residents said the area serves as a habitat for the Asian elephant, Bangladesh's largest land mammal, providing a safe environment and breeding ground where elephants can move freely in groups and find food.
Abdullah Al Mamun said measures will be taken to protect elephant movement and safe breeding areas through reforestation of the land recovered by the Forest Department.
Forest department recovers 60 acres of land in Cox's Bazar
FE Team | Published: December 17, 2025 21:37:54
Forest department recovers 60 acres of land in Cox's Bazar
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