In a commitment to safeguard the rights of forest-dependent communities, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, announced the government’s dedication to securing land and resource rights for the Garo people. Speaking at the Wangala festival celebration, Rizwana Hasan underscored ongoing efforts to address conflicts between forest communities and the Forest Department, including plans for amendments to social forestry regulations.
Rizwana Hasan outlined a comprehensive plan, including legal measures to protect the Garo community's access to forest land and resources. She mentioned that the Indigenous Council has already begun work to uphold Garo rights, while the district administration has been instructed to clarify disputed boundaries within the Modhupur Forest. Additionally, the Ministries of Land and Water Resources will coordinate efforts to prevent illegal sand and stone extraction, aiming to ensure sustainable forest resource use.
Attending as the chief guest at the Wangala festival, held at Banani Bidyaniketan School and College, Hasan praised the cultural significance of Wangala, which celebrates the Garo community's close bond with nature and gratitude for the harvest season. She urged the public to honor natural resources and contribute to environmental conservation efforts inspired by the Garo community’s example.
The celebration, presided over by Nokma Shimanto Chisim, Chair of Dhaka Wangala 2024, featured traditional Garo dance and music, symbolizing the community's rich cultural heritage. Distinguished guests included Fazlul Haque, Member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR); Nafrija Shaima, Additional Secretary (Cultural Heritage), Ministry of Cultural Affairs; Pavel Partha, writer and researcher; and Parag Richil, poet and researcher, among others. A special magazine for the Wangala festival was also unveiled during the event.
Local and international representatives, cultural activists, students, and Garo community members gathered to celebrate Wangala, underscoring its role in preserving the Garo cultural heritage and promoting environmental stewardship.
