TEKNAF, Aug 02 (V7N) — Environmentalists and local residents have expressed growing concern over the illegal felling of coastal casuarina (jhau) trees along the Bay of Bengal in Teknaf, warning that continued destruction could increase coastal erosion and damage the area's fragile ecosystem.
According to local residents, trees planted as part of a coastal afforestation programme are being cut down by unidentified individuals, often at night or during bad weather, despite restrictions on access to the area. They say the loss of the protective forest weakens the natural barrier against strong winds, tidal surges and shoreline erosion.
The affected plantation is located near the Sabrang Exclusive Tourist Zone in Shah Porir Dwip. Forestry officials said the coastal plantation was established in 2015–16 before the land was later transferred to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for development of the tourism zone.
Local environmental advocates have called for stronger monitoring and enforcement, arguing that the protected forest should be safeguarded regardless of administrative responsibility.
Teknaf Coastal Forest Range Officer Bashir Ahmed Khan said the plantation is now located within land managed by BEZA, adding that responsibility for protecting the forest rests with the authority overseeing the tourist zone.
Environmental groups and local residents have urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action to prevent further tree felling and preserve the coastal forest, warning that continued destruction could have serious environmental and coastal protection consequences.
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