Unlawful occupation of government-owned forest lands for constructing resorts, private estates, and leisure centres is hardly a novel issue in the country.
For decades, influential figures have exploited political connections, muscle power, and immense wealth to usurp forested territories.
Among the most glaring offenders is Obaidul Karim, the founder and chairman of the controversial Orion Group, who has allegedly seized at least 100 acres of reserved forest land in Bhaluka, Mymensingh.
This area, dubbed "Bon Bilash," includes an Orion refrigerator manufacturing facility, a private luxury bungalow, and other structures.
Obaidul Karim is not alone in this audacious land grab. His brother, Ebadul Karim, a former Member of Parliament and the owner of Beacon Group, along with their sibling, Rezaul Karim of Reedisha Group, have each allegedly taken control of an additional 100 acres of forest land.
According to the Forest Conservation Act, entry into reserved forests without permission is strictly prohibited, with forest guards authorised to use lethal force if necessary.
Yet, neither local residents nor forest officials can access these illegally occupied lands, as armed security personnel employed by the Karim brothers maintain a formidable presence, silencing any potential opposition.
Despite repeated attempts by the Forest Department to address this transgression through six to seven legal cases, these efforts have languished in various courts.
The Karim brothers, reportedly leveraging their influence during the previous government’s tenure, successfully stalled these proceedings for years, continuing to hold state assets valued in the thousands of crores.
The scope of this encroachment is staggering.
Adjacent to the Forest Range Office at Seedstore Bazaar in Bhaluka lies the Orion empire, sprawling across approximately 100 acres.
Records indicate that Obaidul Karim began the encroachment in 2016 by purchasing a few bighas of land adjacent to the forest.
Over time, he systematically expanded his control, eventually taking possession of 102 acres, including areas designated as reserved forest.
Within this area, a refrigerator manufacturing plant was built on Plot 154 of the Hobirbari Beat.
Meanwhile, Ebadul Karim and Rezaul Karim have seized additional plots within the Hobirbari and Kathali Beats.
Notably, Plot 154 spans 201 acres, of which Obaidul Karim and Ebadul Karim now control a significant portion.
Allegations suggest that the encroachments intensified after the Awami League assumed power in 2009.
By 2016, the Karim brothers had effectively seized valuable plots along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway with little resistance.
Forest Department’s role remained limited to filing cases, while local residents reported that the Karim brothers used a mix of power, hired muscle, and bribed corrupt officials to secure their illegal claims.
Bhaluka Range Forest Officer Harunur Rashid stated: "Our range encompasses 13,000 acres of forest, of which 8,000 acres are now illegally occupied. Alongside Orion, Beacon, and Reedisha, other influential individuals and organisations have similarly encroached upon forest lands."
This unchecked exploitation highlights the critical need for robust enforcement of forest conservation laws to reclaim state assets and preserve ecological balance.
