The interim government has cancelled the allocation of 700 acres of forest land, originally granted to the Ministry of Public Administration for the establishment of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Academy of Public Administration.
The decision followed an appeal by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser on environment, forests, and climate change.
On Sunday (10 November), a letter from the Ministry of Land, signed by Deputy Secretary Aminur Rahman, was sent to the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner, instructing him to take appropriate action and submit a report to the Ministry of Land.
The allocated land, totalling 700 acres in Jhilanja mouza of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, comprises 400 acres of hill land under BS Plot No. 25001 and 300 acres of stream land under BS Plot No. 25010. As these areas are designated protected forests under gazette notification, the allocation has been officially revoked.
Previously, on 29 August 2024, the environmental adviser issued a semi-official letter highlighting the protected status of the land under Section 29 of the Forest Act 1927 since 1935.
The 2,145.02 acres of land host various tree species such as garjan, chapalish, and telsur, as well as wildlife, including elephants, monkeys, and wild boars.
Afforestation initiatives were conducted in 2011-12 and 2012-13 to combat climate change effects.
Due to the absence of "protected forest" designation in records, the Forest Department pursued legal action, leading to a High Court petition seeking revocation of the land allocation.
The High Court issued a stay order on the matter, which remains upheld by the Appellate Division.
In 1999, the Jhilanja Union was declared an environmentally critical area, prohibiting tree felling and alterations to its natural state. The allocated 700 acres of protected forest fall within this critical zone.
The country's constitution, under Article 18(a), along with commitments under the United Nations Biodiversity Convention, underscores the need for forest conservation. With an already limited forest area, the allocation was deemed against public interest.
