Dighinala in Khagrachari, once covered in lush green forests, is now becoming treeless. This area, enriched with numerous small and large hills and hillocks in the catchment area of the Maini River, is losing its forests and turning into barren land. Allegations have surfaced that a group is continuously clearing the সংরক্ষিত (reserved) forests, taking advantage of the Forest Department’s negligence.
Locals fear that at least 500,000 cubic feet of timber could be depleted from the various hilly forests of Dighinala during the current season. Every day, timber from the forests is being transported openly and illegally in ‘Chander Gari’ (jeeps) for various commercial purposes. Timber smuggling will continue in this manner throughout the dry season, from December to June.
Dighinala in Khagrachari has four ranges under the Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division and the Jhum Control Forest Division. The Jamtali check station is in place to prevent timber smuggling from the Naraichari Range under the Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division, and the Hazachari, Longadu Ultachari, and Merung Ranges under the Jhum Control Forest Division. Despite this, numerous jeeps loaded with firewood pass by the Jamtali check station every day.
On-the-spot investigations in various villages, including Hazapara, Noymile, Simanapara, and Mayafapara, revealed that even remote, inaccessible hills, located 8 kilometers from the Upazila and another 5 kilometers from Bishnukarbbari Para village, are being denuded.
Local residents Ganesh Tripura, Kartik, and Hatendra Tripura allege that workers are cutting down all types of trees, both large and small, that have grown naturally, to be used as firewood. This is leaving the entire hills devoid of trees. Workers, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that they work as daily laborers cutting trees. A third party purchases all the trees on a hill on a contractual basis from the hill’s owner and then supplies them to various locations.
The main route for timber smuggling is the Jamtali area on the Khagrachari-Dighinala road. However, both the Narai Range under the Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division and the check post of the Jhum Control Division are located in Jamtali. Timber is also being transported to brick kilns via the road from Thana Bazar to Boalkhali Bazar in the Upazila.
Md. Shahin Mia, the station officer of the Jamtali check station, claims, “I joined here a month ago. We are performing our duties properly. After joining, we seized one vehicle, and a case has been filed.”
Environmental activists have called for strict measures to prevent deforestation. Mahfuz Russell, the founder of the Pitachara Forest and Wildlife Conservation Initiative, said, “There is no rule allowing the cutting of natural forest trees without permission. However, forests are being indiscriminately cut down in Khagrachari. The Forest Department is not taking any action.”
Matiur Rahman, the Range Officer of the Naraichari Range of the Forest Department, said, “We have seized two vehicles this season.” However, he avoided answering questions about not taking effective measures to stop timber smuggling.
Attempts to contact Dr. Zahidur Rahman Mia, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Jhum Control Forest Division, for comments on this matter were unsuccessful.
