[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

ঢাকার চার নদী দখল-দূষণমুক্তে বিস্তারিত কর্মপরিকল্পনা গ্রহণের ঘোষণা: পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু উপদেষ্টা

পানি সম্পদ এবং পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন মন্ত্রণালয়ের উপদেষ্টা সৈয়দা রিজওয়ানা হাসান জানিয়েছেন, ঢাকার চারপাশের বুড়িগঙ্গা, তুরাগ, বালু ও শীতলক্ষ্যা নদী দখল এবং দূষণমুক্ত করতে সরকার বিস্তারিত কর্মপরিকল্পনা গ্রহণ করছে। তিনি বলেন, বিশ্ব ব্যাংকের সহায়তায় প্রাথমিকভাবে তুরাগ নদীকে দখল ও দূষণমুক্ত ক

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ঢাকার চার নদী দখল-দূষণমুক্তে বিস্তারিত কর্মপরিকল্পনা গ্রহণের ঘোষণা: পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু উপদেষ্টা

এফই অনলাইন ডেস্ক
Published :
May 23, 2025 23:58
Updated :
May 23, 2025 23:58

পানি সম্পদ এবং পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন মন্ত্রণালয়ের উপদেষ্টা সৈয়দা রিজওয়ানা হাসান জানিয়েছেন, ঢাকার চারপাশের বুড়িগঙ্গা, তুরাগ, বালু ও শীতলক্ষ্যা নদী দখল এবং দূষণমুক্ত করতে সরকার বিস্তারিত কর্মপরিকল্পনা গ্রহণ করছে।

তিনি বলেন, বিশ্ব ব্যাংকের সহায়তায় প্রাথমিকভাবে তুরাগ নদীকে দখল ও দূষণমুক্ত করার উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হবে। এর জন্য প্রয়োজনীয় পরিকল্পনা চূড়ান্তের কাজ চলছে।

আজ শুক্রবার (২৩ মে) রাজধানীর বাংলাদেশ শিল্পকলা একাডেমির জাতীয় চিত্রশালায় জাতীয় নদী দিবস ২০২৫ উপলক্ষে নোঙ্গর ট্রাস্ট আয়োজিত ‘জীবন নদী’ সপ্তাহব্যাপী চিত্র প্রদর্শনীর আলোচনা সভায় এসব কথা বলেন তিনি।

রিজওয়ানা হাসান বলেন, নদী দখলদার উচ্ছেদ, ড্রেজিং, সীমানা নির্ধারণ এবং শিল্প-প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো যেন দূষণ না ছড়ায়, সে বিষয়ে পরিবেশ অধিদপ্তরের সক্ষমতা বাড়াতে হবে। তিনি আরও বলেন, নদীগুলো রক্ষা না করলে বাংলাদেশ টিকবে না।

তিনি জানান, রাজধানীর ১৯টি খাল দখলমুক্ত ও পরিষ্কারের জন্য স্বল্প ব্যয়ে ড্রেজিংয়ের কাজ শুরু করা হয়েছে, যাতে ঢাকায় জলাবদ্ধতা কমানো যায়।

এছাড়া তিনি বলেন, ইতোমধ্যে সব জেলা প্রশাসকদের কাছ থেকে নদীর তালিকা সংগ্রহ করে তা প্রকাশ করা হয়েছে। ৬৪ জেলার নদীগুলোর তালিকা থেকে ১১টি নদী বাছাই করে বিশেষ পরিকল্পনা নিয়ে কাজ শুরুর উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হচ্ছে।

তিনি আশাবাদ ব্যক্ত করেন, এ ধরনের প্রদর্শনীর মাধ্যমে নদী ও পরিবেশ নিয়ে মানুষের সচেতনতা বাড়বে এবং জনগণ সোচ্চার হলে সরকারও নিষ্ক্রিয় থাকতে পারবে না।

পরে তিনি ‘জীবন নদী’ শীর্ষক প্রদর্শনীর উদ্বোধন করেন এবং প্রদর্শনী ঘুরে দেখেন। এ ছাড়া তিনি নদী কর্মীদের অংশগ্রহণে আয়োজিত সাইকেল র‍্যালিরও শুভ উদ্বোধন করেন।

অনুষ্ঠানে সভাপতিত্ব করেন নোঙ্গর ট্রাস্টের চেয়ারম্যান সুমন শামস। বিশেষ অতিথি হিসেবে বক্তব্য দেন ওয়ারপোর মহাপরিচালক মোহাম্মদ লুৎফুর রহমান, হাওর অঞ্চলবাসী সংগঠনের প্রধান সমন্বয়ক জাকিয়া শিশির এবং সাকুরা স্টিল লিমিটেডের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক ইব্রাহিম আহমেদ রিপন।​

 

[Saif]

Biodiversity threatened by hill agriculture

Yesterday, 22 May was the international day for biological diversity. This year, we pledge ‘harmony with nature and sustainable development’ on this occasion. To survive properly, the first thing we need is to build a close relationship with the environment and maintain a proper balance with it.

en.prothomalo.com

Biodiversity threatened by hill agriculture
To survive properly, the first thing we need is to build a close relationship with the environment and maintain a proper balance with it.

Mrityunjoy Roy
Published: 23 May 2025, 17: 20

The soil around the base of teak trees that are highly water absorbent has eroded severely. Photo taken in Dharmaghar area of Kutukchhari in Rangamati Sadar upazila on 20 May 2025. Supriyo Chakma

Although Bangladesh is a small country, there is a lot of diversity here. The country has a particularly rich collection of agricultural and biological diversity. Very few countries in the world have the crop diversity like Bangladesh.

Around 400 different types of crops are cultivated here. And, there are thousands of varieties of these crops. At one time, there were over 12,000 varieties of paddy alone.

Just like crops, there is a wide range of plant diversity as well. The country is home to nearly 6,000 species of flora, 1,600 species of vertebrate, and 2,500 species of invertebrate life-forms. It has not been possible to determine an accurate account of Bangladesh’s biodiversity yet.

The country is also unique in its landform diversity. A vast delta formed with Himalayan silt and crushed rock, Bangladesh has a lot of wetlands, haors (floodplains), highlands, hills along with the sea. On one side there lies the sea-washed coastline with plants, crocodiles, and turtles living in the saline water and soil there.

Meanwhile, about 400 species of freshwater fish and the Gangetic dolphin inhabit the rivers, canals, and wetlands here. Then there is the Sundarbans a mangrove forest on the edge of the sea, which works as a natural protector for us.

The Sundarbans is home to 528 species of plants, 339 species of birds, and about 1,600 other species of wildlife, including microorganisms. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s evergreen and mixed hill forest is a part of the 34 biodiversity hotspots around the world.

There are 1,560 species of flowering plants, including orchids, bamboo, teak, garjan, telsur, and bailam found in the hill forests. Plus, these forests are home to a variety of animals including elephants, leopards, deer, bears, butterflies, lizards, snakes, and different bird species.

Before the 1960s, the hill tracts were lush and full of biodiversity. However, the construction of the Kaptai dam in the 1960s and increased human settlement started cutting down on the greenery.

Similarly, the expansion of tea gardens and crop farming in Sylhet and Moulvibazar led to the destruction of many hill forests. As a result, many of the biodiversity from the hill tracts came under threat while several species disappeared completely.

Plains agriculture creeps up to hills
Our natural hills are no longer retaining their original form. In ancient times, the hill forests were the habitats for flora, thick with large trees covering the slopes in greenery. There was no such human presence there rather they served as a habitat and sanctuaries for the wild animals.

But as the country’s population increased, humans gradually encroached upon these areas. Forests were cleared to build homes, and jhum farming expanded to meet the demand of food.

Traditionally, a particular hill is used for jhum farming only once in a year. After farming on the hill once, the farmers locally known as Jumiya leave that hill fallow before starting cultivation on that land again. Doing jhum farming in this method allows the soil to regain its natural fertility.

Earlier, jhum farming was done on a limited scale. But now, cultivation of a wide range of crops typically grown in the plains is now expanding extensively in the hill tracts overpowering jhum farming.

Nowadays, crops such as bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, long beans, tomatoes, coriander, tobacco, sugarcane, and chillies are commercially grown on hill slopes, valleys between slopes, and near streams across different seasons—just like in the plains. According to statistics, pineapples were cultivated on 3,314 acres and mangoes on 3,748 acres of land in Rangamati in 2020–21.

Meanwhile, mango was cultivated on 2,839 acres of land in Bandarban and on 4,207 acres in Khagrachari. Many fruit orchards have been established through various development projects as well. Fruits that are usually cultivated on the plains are the same ones now being grown in the hills.

Hill-grown amrapali mangoes have been branded in Dhaka and the production of fruit in the country is increasing, which in turn is helping to improve our nutrition. However, we may not be able to see the damage it is causing to the local environment, biodiversity and to the ecosystem, the consequences of that are far-reaching.

The same soil that is loosened in cultivating these crops on the hill slope is washing away during rainfall before filling out the streams and canals while sometimes causing landslides when the softened soil collapses. The meaning of wetlands, lowlands, and streams being filled out is making scopes for many aquatic biodiversity to vanish completely.

Permanent mango, jackfruit, and lychee orchards have now been established on many hills. Tea, coffee, and cashew farming are also on the rise. Recently retired additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Paban Chakma, who was born and raised in the hills of Khagrachari, said the hill environment he knew in his childhood, with clean water sources, diverse wildlife, and lush greenery, has largely vanished now.

Even traditional jhum farmers are shifting towards more profitable crops like turmeric, chorakochu or mukhikachu (a variety of local yam or taro root), and cassava. This is a very common picture now in the hills of Matiranga, Guimara, Laxmichhari, and Manikchhari.

These crops require digging into the soil. Even pineapples are now being cultivated by digging into the soil, which is loosening the soil on the hills, making them fragile. The loosened soil is rolls downhill and filling out the small streams locally known as jhiri. The local verities of fish fries there used to be in these jhiris of Matiranga in his childhood, are nowhere to be found now, he added.

It’s not just the fish, Paban Chakma saw bear cubs in Jharnatila area of Matiranga even in 2005. But, no more of them have been sighted since. Also the fruit orchards are failing to yield expected harvest sometimes. For instance, while the local lychee varieties are still bearing fruit, there is no production of China-2 and China-3 varieties due to fluctuating temperatures in recent years. Meanwhile, mango trees are increasingly being affected by diseases and pests.

The loss of nature’s treasure trove
Through this method of cultivation, we have lost many medicinal plants native to the hills as well as endangered various animal species that depended on those plants. It is generally believed that when a single plant species disappears from its habitat, at least 30 species of organisms that rely on it are put at risk. In cultivating these crops from the plains on the hills, are we not losing those vital biological resources?

When people living on the hills fall ill, they often rely on local herbs and plants found in their surroundings for treatment. A research by the Bangladesh National Herbarium has shown that the indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts use 2,295 prescriptions to treat at least 302 different illnesses. These traditional remedies involve around 700 species of forest medicinal plants.

Many of these precious plants from this rich botanical database have been wiped out in the name of clearing weeds for farming. Besides, the insects and animals that survive by feeding on the leaves, sap, and fruits of those plants have also disappeared from there. It seems we may be losing a lot in our quest to gain a little.

There is no denying that we must cultivate crops for food. At the same time, we must also acknowledge that we do not have the right to destroy any natural habitat or harm biodiversity in the process. Also the country’s environmental conservation laws do not permit that. Unless there is a balance between agriculture and conservation, ecological and environmental disaster become inevitable.

We must let the crop fields remain for crops and the hills remain as hills. Disrupting the innate environment and food chain of different types of biodiversity there are in these two ecosystems will interrupt our own food chain one day.

Hills are being cut down to build walls, and the excavated soil is being used to fill in paddy fields. This ongoing destruction is severely harming the ecosystem of the hills. As a result, the biodiversity of these areas is under increasing threat. Photo taken in Shukrachhari area of Rangamati Sadar upazila on 20 May 2025. Prothom Alo

Humans behind environmental pollution

It’s not just the invasion of plains crop cultivation we are also polluting the environment on the hills in cultivating those crops. Machines used to pump irrigation water from streams or to till the soil burn fuel. The forests are being cleared and burned to make space for farmland by destroying native and natural vegetation. This further releases carbon and pollutes the air.

In addition to this, there are incidents of illegal land grabs, deforestation, and hill-cutting as well. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which are harmful to the environment, were never part of traditional hill or jhum agriculture.

These chemicals are now being used indiscriminately and extensively due to the boom in commercial farming. And, this is killing a wide range of insects and creatures, starting from the pollinators.

As a result, the soil, water, and air in those ecosystems are becoming polluted. The use of chemical fertilisers is harming soil microbes, while fertiliser-mixed water is entering the streams and canals, killing small fish and disrupting aquatic life.

Invasive species

If you go to Suwalok union in Bandarban, you will see an abundance of mangium and akashmoni trees in the hill forests. Similarly, you will see a widespread plantation of teak trees alongside eucalyptus by the rubber orchards in Ramgarh of Khagrachhari and on the hilly slopes of Rangamati.

Teak tree plantation on the hills of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Chattogram, and Sylhet began back in 1873. In the 1980s, teak trees were planted in these areas officially by the government.

From the experience of the locals living on the hills, no other plants can grow beneath the teak trees. The fallen teak leaves also degrade the soil where it accumulates in heaps. As far as the teak roots spread underground, new saplings sprout all along the roots. So, they quickly take over the new habitat.

However, the teak root does not spread out like a net thus fail to prevent soil erosion. Also it is a valuable timber tree so nobody likes to clear the teak trees out. These trees then drive out other species of trees from the vicinity.

The small streams, springs, and waterfalls are the only source of drinking water on the hills. According to locals’ experience, when the natural forests are cleared and replaced with extensive teak plantations, these trees can absorb vast amounts of water to dry out the soil.

When DAE additional director Paban Chakma was an upazila agriculture officer in Rangamati Sadar back in 2018, he saw teak plantation spread on the hill right in front of his eyes. Before the teak plantation was established, he had seen water flowing in the canal of Deppochhari of Sapchhari area there.

He said that water cannot be found there even by digging into the soil any longer, let alone the canals or the springs. Also, the rainfall patterns have become erratic. The water crisis on the hills is now at its peak.

Although we are happy to plant teak trees for making furniture, they have now become a threat to many species of biodiversity and native forest plants. Similarly, plants like asam tree, asam creeper, kash (wild sugarcane grass), shon (sungrass), lojjaboti (mimosa), bilati tulsi (bush mint), and lantana are also behaving invasively in the hill tracts.

Even water hyacinth is raising concern with navigation in the Kaptai lake and the Karnaphuli river at times. These dense, mat-like layers of water hyacinth block sunlight from reaching the water. And, this disrupts the life cycle of many aquatic creatures.

For example, dragonflies can lay eggs only in open water. Their larvae cannot survive without water. And, their species will not continue with laying eggs. Meanwhile, fish survive from consuming these dragonfly larvae living in water.

This bonding between the living organisms and the nature is eternal. The spread of these foreign invasive plants, while ignoring the natural native vegetation of the forests, leads to ecosystem changes and the gradual disappearance of indigenous flora.

This has a negative impact involving displacement of native species of plants and animals, change of the natural nutrition cycles, and reduction of biodiversity in the hill forests.

Research and action needed

Yesterday, 22 May was the international day for biological diversity. This year, we pledge ‘harmony with nature and sustainable development’ on this occasion. To survive properly, the first thing we need is to build a close relationship with the environment and maintain a proper balance with it.

In Bangladesh, thirteen Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) have been designated to emphasise on the importance of preserving environmental balance. Areas are declared as ECAs to protect various species of flora, fauna, and overall biodiversity.

While the Sundarbans is included in this list, the hill forests are absent. That means, the hilly forests have not been classified or declared as ecologically critical areas. The issue calls for reassessment and research considering the reality.

If declared an ECA, many activities that are destructive to the environment could be restricted in these regions. The indiscriminate destruction of natural forests and vegetation would be prevented, hunting of wild animals would be banned, and the natural habitats of plants and animals would be preserved and actions causing soil, water, air and noise pollution will be prohibited in those areas. And, this will protect the country’s biodiversity.

Although there have been some scattered research on this, no complete list of the country’s biodiversity has been prepared yet. There needs to be more research in this field. Also there is a need for detailed studies to strike a balance between agriculture with environmental conservation. Developing and implementing eco-friendly agricultural technologies can both protect the environment and increase food production.

Given the country’s geographical location and environmental conditions, implementing “crop zoning” method for food production would be a logical step. Such planning and legislation is needed for it that nobody can cultivate whatever crop they want in any certain place just at random. Most importantly, an effective awareness and involvement of local communities is essential for the conservation of biodiversity.

*Mrityunjoy Roy, agronomist and environmental writer​

 

[Saif]

Don’t let hill destroyers get away unpunished

Troubling development involving fine exemptions comes to light

www.thedailystar.net

Don’t let hill destroyers get away unpunished
Troubling development involving fine exemptions comes to light

VISUAL: STAR

A troubling development has recently come to light, highlighting the culture of impunity that flourished under the Awami League regime. According to a report by Prothom Alo, two contractors—Toma Construction and Messrs Hasan International—were fined Tk 50 crore by the Department of Environment (DoE) in early 2021 (or late 2020) for illegally cutting hills in Chattogram during the construction of the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway project. However, the companies were exempted from paying the fine in June 2022 allegedly by the then secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, who also chaired the ministry's appeal authority at the time. This points to a serious abuse of power, with strong indications that the waiver was due to the secretary's ties with the companies involved.

As per an earlier report, the above-mentioned companies excavated 2.22 crore cubic feet of earth from hills in the Rangapahar area of Lohagara upazila, far exceeding the approved limit. While the government authorised the excavation of 37 hills—an act that is itself questionable—the companies cut an additional 16 without permission. According to a DoE official, the environmental damage caused by Toma Construction, a company of questionable repute, was estimated at around Tk 2,000 crore! Because of the sheer scale of the damage, the matter was allegedly hushed up to avoid further scrutiny.

In November 2021—nine months or so after the levying of the initial fine of Tk 50 crore, which was exempted at a later stage—the Chattogram DoE filed a case against the two companies with the Environment Court, which delivered its verdict on February 26 last year. Messrs Hasan International reportedly admitted its offence and was fined Tk 120,000, while Toma Construction was fined only Tk 50,000. Such nominal penalties for such grave violations raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of our justice system and environmental safeguards.

Over the past decades, illegal hill-cutting has become rampant across the country despite being prohibited by law, precisely because of the complicity of relevant officials and the political connections of offenders. Chattogram city alone has lost 120 hills over the last 40 years to real estate developments, road construction, and other projects. Alarmingly, this destructive trend has continued even after the political transition in August last year. Given the aspirations of the new Bangladesh we are trying to build, the authorities must take decisive steps to halt further destruction of hills and hold all responsible parties—regardless of their connections or influence—fully accountable. Our environment cannot afford another chapter of negligence and impunity.​

 

[Saif]

Madhupur Sal forest and its biodiversity will be brought back: Rizwana

The forest dwellers here should play their role in protecting this forest, says the environment adviser

www.thedailystar.net

Madhupur Sal forest and its biodiversity will be brought back: Rizwana

Photo: Mirza Shakil/Star

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said that the Sal trees and its biodiversity will be brought back to the Sal forest.

"The forest dwellers here should play their role in protecting this forest. Students are being involved in these activities. Boundary pillars are being provided to identify the encroached areas in the forest," Rizwana said while planting Sal seedlings in the Telki area of Madhupur under the jurisdiction of the Tangail Forest Department in the afternoon.

Therefore, more and more Sal trees should be planted in the upcoming monsoon, she said.

She also said that eucalyptus and acacia trees are commercially planted in the Sal forest. These will be phased out.

Photo: Mirza Shakil/Star

In response to a question from journalists, the adviser said that although it is not possible to do it now, the encroached forest land of Madhupur will be recovered in phases.

Later, the activities of the "Madhupur Shalban Restoration through the Participation of Local Communities" project were inaugurated by inspecting the boundary marking work and installing boundary pillars in the Rajabari area of the Madhupur forest area.

She addressed as the chief guest at a discussion meeting marking the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 in Dokhala, Madhupur.

She called on local forest dwellers to be vigilant in protecting the forest. She told them that if they are in the forest, they should behave like the forest.

Photo: Mirza Shakil/Star

She said that hundreds of acres of forest land should be cleared of pineapple and banana cultivation and trees compatible with the Sal forest should be planted.

At this time, the advisor announced the withdrawal of 129 cases filed against forest dwellers, including ethnic minorities, in Madhupur.

Renowned wildlife expert Professor Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Tangail Divisional Forest Officer Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, local tribal leaders Ajay A Mre and Eugene Nokrek were also spoke the meeting.

Earlier, the advisor inaugurated the process of releasing peacocks at Luhuriya in Madhupur National Park.

In the morning, Rizwana inaugurated the 500,000 tree planting programme organised by local environmental organisation Sabuj Prithibi by planting trees at the public service square in front of the Tangail Deputy Commissioner's office.​

 

[Saif]

Saving the Modhupur Forest a race against time

There was a time when the Modhupur forest, also known as the Modhupur Sal forest, was a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife. For those who grew up near its edges, the memories of deer grazing freely, birdsong echoing through thick canopies, and the subtle rustle of Sal leaves in the wind are in

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Saving the Modhupur Forest a race against time

MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
May 26, 2025 23:42
Updated :
May 26, 2025 23:42

There was a time when the Modhupur forest, also known as the Modhupur Sal forest, was a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife. For those who grew up near its edges, the memories of deer grazing freely, birdsong echoing through thick canopies, and the subtle rustle of Sal leaves in the wind are indelible. But today, these sounds are fading, and the forest is shrinking before our eyes. What was once a vast stretch of 45,000 acres of Sal-dominated wilderness has now been reduced to mere 10,000 acres. The culprit: unchecked deforestation, illegal encroachment, and unregulated agricultural activities.

The decline of Modhupur Forest situated in Tangail district, is not just a local tragedy -- it is a national crisis. Many environmentalists and scientists fear that this 22,000-year-old natural treasure might vanish within the next ten years if we fail to act decisively. The forest's destruction would not only erase a critical biodiversity hotspot but also dismantle an ecological system that supports water regulation, carbon storage, and soil conservation in central Bangladesh.

Against this alarming backdrop, the recent initiative by the Government of Bangladesh to restore the degraded Sal forest through a community-based approach is both commendable and urgently needed. It represents a crucial shift in forest management -- one that acknowledges that forests cannot be saved by fences and enforcement alone, but by involving the very people who live alongside them.

According to officials from the Forest Department, the restoration efforts in Modhupur rest on several vital pillars. The backbone of this initiative is the replanting of native Sal trees in degraded zones. This move is essential for reviving the forest's original character and biodiversity.

The inclusion of local communities in the restoration process is key. By turning forest dwellers into stewards of the environment, the initiative aims to build sustainable, long-term conservation practices.

Demarcation and reclamation of forestlands are also crucial under which a significant portion of forestland will be officially demarcated to protect it from illegal occupation. Forest areas already encroached upon are being reclaimed and reforested.

The government is also embracing a data-driven model. With tools such as an ODK-based dashboard, forest officials are now equipped to undertake precise, site-specific planning for restoration.

This comprehensive approach -- rooted in ecology, technology, and community partnership -- marks a new chapter in Bangladesh's environmental conservation journey.

The restoration of the Sal forest carries implications far beyond the boundaries of Modhupur. First and foremost, Sal forests are critical for biodiversity conservation. They are home to many native species of plants, birds, and animals that are now facing the threat of extinction due to habitat loss.

Second, these forests provide vital ecosystem services -- they regulate water cycles, sequester carbon, and help conserve the soil. Their disappearance would exacerbate climate vulnerability in the region, increasing risks like flooding, drought, and land degradation.

Third, Sal forests offer livelihoods to many indigenous and local communities, particularly the Garo people, who have historically relied on forest products, farming, and cultural practices tied to the land.

Lastly, Sal forests play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of central Bangladesh. Their continued degradation would have cascading effects on weather patterns, agricultural productivity, and human health in the broader region.

Despite the promising framework of the restoration initiative, its success will depend on a few critical factors like ensuring clear demarcation and legal protection.

Boundary demarcation is essential. Without clear physical boundaries -- marked by durable boundary pillars -- the forest will remain vulnerable to encroachment. These legal protections must be upheld without exception, and regular monitoring should be conducted to prevent further illegal activities.

The government's decision to plant only native Sal trees and allow a mix of 70 per cent Sal and 30 per cent companion species is ecologically sound. Foreign and invasive species have no place in a restoration effort of this kind, as they can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native flora.

A major concern lies in the use of pesticides and chemical hormones in pineapple and banana cultivation by members of the Garo community and other settlers within the forest. These practices not only degrade the forest soil but also poison water sources and threaten wildlife. Alternatives must be provided -- such as organic farming training, sustainable land use planning, and economic incentives -- to ensure that livelihoods are not sacrificed in the name of conservation.

No part of the forest -- regardless of the socio-economic background of the claimant --should be allocated for private use. Forestland is not a political commodity; it is a national ecological asset. Landless and river erosion-affected people must be rehabilitated on khas land, not inside forest areas.

Steps need to be taken for protecting the rights of indigenous communities.

While illegal encroachment must be addressed firmly, it is equally important that the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities are recognised and preserved. "No harassment of local communities" should be more than a policy slogan -- it must be a guiding principle in all enforcement actions. Forest-friendly livelihoods, participatory forest management, and educational initiatives must be undertaken to bring communities into the fold of forest protection.

A collective responsibility is also essential. It is naive to expect the Forest Department alone to safeguard Modhupur. Protecting this ancient forest demands collaboration -- from government agencies, NGOs, indigenous leaders, environmental experts, and ordinary citizens. Schools, media, and local governments all have a role to play in raising awareness and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

Time is running out for Modhupur. The forest that once defined the landscape of central Bangladesh -- rich with Sal trees, medicinal plants, and elusive wildlife -- is on the verge of extinction. But the story of Modhupur does not have to end in tragedy. With the right vision, political will, and community engagement, we can still reverse the tide of destruction.

Let this not be another tale of what we lost. Let it be a story of what we saved -- together. The restoration of Modhupur is not just about trees; it is about healing the relationship between people and nature. It is about ensuring that future generations can walk beneath the Sal canopy and hear the forest breathe again.

If we fail to act now, we risk losing not just a forest, but a living chapter of our environmental and cultural heritage. The time to save Modhupur is now.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh can earn $1b a year from carbon market: analysts

The information was revealed at a discussion on carbon financing organised by LightCastle Partners

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Bangladesh can earn $1b a year from carbon market: analysts

The information was revealed at a discussion on carbon financing organised by LightCastle Partners

Bangladesh has the potential to generate up to $1 billion annually from the global carbon market, but a lack of clear national policy continues to limit investment in the sector, analysts said at a discussion.

Despite some progress, including $17 million earned since 2006 through projects like improved cooking stoves and solar home systems, the analysts stressed the need for stronger policy direction to unlock the country's full potential.

The discussion, titled "Catalysing carbon financing in Bangladesh: private sector pathways and policy readiness," was held today in Dhaka and organised by international consultancy firm LightCastle Partners.

The event was organised to raise awareness among private sector leaders and investors about the country's readiness for carbon market participation and the implementation of Article 6 under the Paris Agreement.

At the event, Lincoln Teo, managing director of ZERO13, in his presentation emphasised Bangladesh's commitment to combating climate change, citing national goals to produce 16 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2030 and to reduce annual carbon emissions by 89.47 metric tonnes of CO₂e.

He said that achieving these targets would significantly support sustainable agriculture, water management, and overall economic growth.

"While we've set green financing targets and launched refinancing schemes, we must now strengthen public-private cooperation and follow international best practices, with strong banking sector support," said Ahmed Zubaer Mahmud, Additional Director of the Sustainable Finance Department of Bangladesh Bank.

Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners, called for innovative financing models aligned with environmental and social impact.

"Carbon financing can unlock new investment channels. But we must rethink how we mobilise capital to support a low-carbon, inclusive economy," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Grabbers feast on Sonadia forest

Over 1,000 acres of protected mangrove forest on Sonadia Island in Moheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar have been razed since August 5 last year.

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Grabbers feast on Sonadia forest
More than 1,000 acres of mangroves destroyed since August last year

A shrimp enclosure set up razing a section of the mangrove forest in Sonadia Island. Photo: collected​

• Encroachers cleared over 4,000 acres of forest​
• Encroachment continues defying SC order​
• Forest razed for shrimp and crab farming​

Over 1,000 acres of protected mangrove forest on Sonadia Island in Moheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar have been razed since August 5 last year.

The encroachment, aimed at developing enclosures for shrimp and crab farming, came to light recently when grabbers set fire to piles of felled mangrove trees at night in an attempt to destroy evidence of their illegal activities.

The incident, which defied a Supreme Court ruling issued last year, sparked public outrage and led to criticism of the authorities for their inaction.

The upazila administration said it has launched drives against the encroachers.

On May 18, the Department of Environment (DoE) filed a case against 20 individuals, including a local BNP leader and several leaders and activists of the now-banned Awami League, for encroaching on at least 112 acres of forest land.

Over the years, encroachers have cleared over 3,000 acres of Sonadia's mangrove forest and established 37 shrimp enclosures. Last July, the DoE filed a case against 26 individuals, mostly linked to the AL, for grabbing 128 acres of forest land. That move temporarily halted the encroachment.

However, the illegal activities soon resumed.

On November 28 last year, the SC upheld a High Court order that directed the government to immediately stop the destruction of mangrove forests on Sonadia and neighbouring areas.

Following a petition, the High court on October 23 ordered concerned government officials to demolish all illegal shrimp projects from Sonadia Island and neighbouring areas, take appropriate legal action against those involved in the destruction of the mangroves, and submit a compliance report before this court within 90 days.

SM Rubel, journalist and environment activist based in Moheshkhali, said the latest case filed by DoE significantly underestimated the land encroached by some influential people.

He claimed that more than 1,000 acres of mangrove forest had been razed since August 5.

"If you stand at the edge of the razed area, you cannot see the end of it," said Rubel, one of the 12 petitioners in the HC case.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Hedayet Ullah said the latest encroachments occurred after the fall of the AL-led regime on August 5 last year, during a period of administrative transition.

"Opportunists took advantage of the situation and grabbed forest land due to a lack of oversight," he said.

Since taking office on December 5, 2024, the UNO said he has monitored the situation, deployed forces to prevent further encroachment, and conducted five drives against encroachers on Sonadia.

He said a detailed report on about 50 illegal occupiers has been prepared and will be submitted to the High Court soon.

He also said an estimated Tk 5 crore is needed to permanently remove the 45-kilometre-long embankments built for the shrimp enclosures on the island.

The UNO added that the trees might have been burnt in preparation for the upcoming shrimp cultivation season, but did not disclose the total area of forest destroyed since last August.

Requesting anonymity, another official of the upazila administration said the total destroyed forest area may well exceed the figures mentioned in DoE cases.

"If there are about 30-35 shrimp enclosures in the island and each enclosure has 70-100 acres of land, the encroached land may exceed 3,000 acres. In some estimates the total grabbed land may reach 4,000 acres," he said.

In the latest case filed on May 18, Md Abdus Salam, senior chemist at the DoE's Cox's Bazar office, said the latest encroachment occurred in the Paschimpara and Purbapara areas of the island.

"We found evidence that the grabbers set fire to felled mangrove trees to erase signs of destruction," Salam said.

The 20 named accused include Alamgir Chowdhury, general secretary of Kutubjom Union BNP; Sheikh Kamal, chairman of Kutubjom Union Parishad; his brother Sheikh Alamgir; Abul Kalam, president of Ward 2 AL; Abdul Monaf, his nephew; Swechchhasebak League leader Imtiaz Uddin; AL member Azizul Haque; Sonadia UP member Ekram Mia; Mohammad Shamsher Ullah, cousin of former MP Asheq Ullah Rafiq; and 12 others. An additional 25–30 unidentified individuals were also named in the case.

According to the case statement, the accused committed offences under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act by destroying mangroves in an ecologically critical area (ECA), building embankments, establishing shrimp and salt farms, and harming flora, fauna, and natural land and water features.

Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Kaisar Hamid said the DoE will investigate the case under the Environment Court Act 2010.

One of the accused, Sheikh Kamal Uddin, Kutobjom UP chairman and also an AL leader, denied his involvement.

"I was on the run after August 5, so how would I destroy the mangrove forest?" he said.

He claimed that his name had been included in the case by his political rivals to tarnish his image ahead of the upcoming union parishad election.He claimed to have joined anti-encroachment drives and said the encroachers are influential people of the Moheshkhali area, without identifying anyone.

Alamgir Chowdhury, secretary of Kutubjom union unit BNP, said the allegations against him were part of a conspiracy by his political rivals.

Contacted, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the previous government in 2017 allocated 9,467 acres of land on the island to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for an eco-tourism park.

The land grabbers had already started burning down the forest and setting up shrimp enclosures, she said, acknowledging that the destruction continued even after August 5 last year.

"After taking charge of the office, my first initiative regarding Sonadia was to bring the land back under the Forest Department's control from BEZA," she said.

She said only one step remains to complete this process as Cox's Bazar district administration has cancelled the allocation to Beza.

"Once the forest is officially recorded under the Forest Department, it can exercise legal authority in the area," said the adviser.

She said the last incident of forest burning occurred on April 27 this year.

"Joint forces have carried out several raids and demolished a number of shrimp enclosures there," she added.

"A full-scale operation is now required. The Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner has been instructed to lead the effort," she said, adding that local administration, navy, and other forces will take part in the major drive.

Asked about the fund needed for demolishing the embankments that encroachers built for their "ghers" [shrimp enclosures], she said, "The government is working to secure the necessary funds. The embankments built by the occupiers must be dismantled."

On May 5 this year, the government officially cancelled the land allocation to BEZA to help restore the island's environment and biodiversity.​

 

[Saif]

Illegal hill cutting threatens Bandarban school

Illegal hill cutting in the Thoingyapara area of Balaghata union in Bandarban Sadar upazila has been disrupting academic activities at Thoingyapara Government Primary School.

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Illegal hill cutting threatens Bandarban school

Illegal hill cutting in the Thoingyapara area of Balaghata union in Bandarban Sadar upazila has been disrupting academic activities at Thoingyapara Government Primary School.

During a recent visit, this correspondent observed that soil from the hill on the eastern side of the school premises was being extracted with an excavator and transported by heavy trucks.

Locals alleged that the hill razing has placed the school at risk of damage from potential landslides during the monsoon, while the constant movement of trucks has severely damaged the school's playground and the adjacent road, putting students in danger of accidents.

They further claimed the illegal activity is causing serious harm to the local environment and disrupting classroom activities.

"During class hours, the loud noise of the excavator distracts the students. The road and playground in front of the school have become unusable due to the daily movement of heavy trucks. We plan to report this to the relevant authorities," said Chandan Kanti Debnath, headteacher of the school.

A local BNP leader named Nazim Uddin is allegedly operating the hill-cutting activities, deploying an excavator and five trucks over the past few days.

"Soil cutting from the hill has been going on from dawn till dusk for the past three days. The school, as well as our houses, are at risk of damage. The road has become deplorable due to truck movement, making it extremely risky for children to go to school," said Mongkyapru Marma, a local.

Several other locals echoed his concerns.

"Around 50 truckloads of soil are transported daily," said Saiful Islam Rimon, one of the truck drivers.

Contacted, Nazim Uddin, sub-contractor for the project, said the soil was being used to fill the site of a proposed new power sub-station near the Golden Temple area in Balaghata. "We have been working for the past three days," he added.

Asked whether he had obtained permits from the administration or the Department of Environment, he left the scene without answering.

Masum Ameer, executive engineer of the Bangladesh Power Development Board in Bandarban, said the new sub-station will be connected to Dohazari in Chattogram. The project is being implemented directly by the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, he added.

Md Fayzul Islam, an assistant engineer of BPDB responsible for the project, said the new sub-station will serve as the primary power distribution centre in Bandarban.

Asked whether administrative or environmental clearance had been obtained for hill cutting and soil use, Fayzul declined to comment, saying the project director would know about it, and disconnected the phone call.

Nur Uddin, inspector at the DoE in Bandarban, said no permission was granted for cutting the hill.

"Now that we've been informed, steps are being taken to respond swiftly. Legal action will be taken in cooperation with the upazila administration," he said.

Bandarban Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Marufa Sultana Khan Hiramon said legal action will be taken against those responsible following an investigation into the matter.​

 

[Saif]

A blatant river grab

Piles of sand are stacked high, excavators are busy dumping loads, and trucks move in and out. The land is enclosed by towering concrete walls and fences. The skyline across the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya turns hazy, as clinker dust first spirals into the air and then settles on the rivers...

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A blatant river grab
Confluence of Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya under siege from Shah Cement

In 2002, Shah Cement began its operations on a small piece of land in Mukterpur, a riverside village in Munshiganj Sadar Upazila. Two decades later, at least 24 acres of Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya river land are under the occupation of this massive industrial complex. The photo was taken in March this year. Photo: Rashed Shumon

Piles of sand are stacked high, excavators are busy dumping loads, and trucks move in and out. The land is enclosed by towering concrete walls and fences. The skyline across the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya turns hazy, as clinker dust first spirals into the air and then settles on the rivers, polluting both the air and water.

This sprawling complex, with its towering structures standing ominously at the confluence of the two rivers in Munshiganj, is a stark reminder of unchecked river grabbing in Bangladesh.

Much of this patch of land belongs to the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya, but Shah Cement has occupied parts of the two rivers affecting the ecosystem and the natural flows of the two rivers, according to four separate government reports.

The Munshiganj district administration and the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) identified the cement factory as an "encroacher" in 2018, 2019 and 2023, documents show.

However, the government has yet to take any action to save the rivers.

In a written statement, Shah Cement, a concern of Abul Khair Group, denied that it grabbed any river land, but declined to share proof of its "ownership" of the land in the middle of two rivers.

"When I visited the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers [in December 2024], I saw that Shah Cement has encroached on the rivers. I immediately instructed the officials concerned to take effective measures."— Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Shipping Adviser.

ILLEGAL OCCUPATION

Shah Cement built the factory in 2002 and has expanded its operations deep into the two rivers over the years, according to documents and current and former officials.

According to the company's website, Shah Cement is one of the largest cement factories in Bangladesh, with a capacity to produce 10 million tonnes per year.

During multiple visits in February, March and April 2025, The Daily Star found that parts of the massive structures, heavy equipment and a storage facility stand at the mouth of the two rivers.

Munshiganj Sadar Assistant Commissioner's (Land) Office also confirmed that Shah Cement has occupied a huge swath of river land in Mirersharai Mouza in RS Dag No. 184 and in Purbo Mukterpur Mouza across RS Dag No. 301-308.

"We have already completed the survey and will serve a notice [on Shah Cement] upon completion of the investigation," Md Rezaul Karim, additional district magistrate of Munshiganj, told The Daily Star last night.

The Daily Star obtained the Revisional Survey (RS) records from the Munshiganj land office. These documents show that RS Dag (plot) No. 184 and RS Dag Nos. 301-307 are earmarked as river and riverbanks and are "owned by the Bangladesh government."

We were unable to collect the land record for RS Dag No. 308.

Before the cement factory was set up two decades ago, the Dhaleshwari thrived as a lifeline, drawing locals who fished, bathed, and depended on its waters for livelihood.

Residents of Mollar Char, a riverside village in Munshiganj, said that when the factory was first built, it started on a small piece of land. But during the dry season every year, it kept expanding by filling the river with sand—even at night.

The massive industrial complex of Shah Cement in Munshiganj. Photo: Rashed Sumon

On March 4, 2025, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in a letter to the Munshiganj district administration said Shah Cement's sand-filling activities is creating navigation problems in the Shitalakkhya and Dhaleshwari route, obstructing the natural flow of the water and causing environmental damage.

"Several companies, including Shah Cement, are raising land by dumping sand and soil on the confluence, disturbing the rivers' flow. The navigability of the rivers has decreased, hindering vessel movement and raising concerns about environmental disasters," reads the letter.

Despite official instructions to remove the illegally dumped sand and soil, Shah Cement has yet to comply, it said, adding, "These activities violate the Port Act 1908, Port Rules 1966, and High Court orders."

The letter also cited a recent visit of Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain to the area when he "expressed dissatisfaction over the illegal occupation, and instructed the authorities to take action."

Contacted, Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Fatema Tul Zannat, who took office in September 2024, said, "I have come to know about the allegations of illegal occupation of some river land by Shah Cement. Currently, a thorough investigation into the matter is underway. Necessary legal actions will be taken after on-site investigation and verification of records."

A TOP GRABBER

This is not the first time that government authorities are speaking publicly and exchanging letters about the encroachment.

Two years ago, on February 15, 2023, the Munshiganj district administration prepared a list and identified Shah Cement as a river grabber.

The list, signed by the then deputy commissioner and revenue deputy collector, shows that 15 companies occupied 34.96 acres of the Dhaleshwari river. Of this, Shah Cement alone had 24 acres under its occupation, making it the top grabber.

Earlier on May 6, 2019, the Munshiganj district administration prepared a list and identified Shah Cement among 50 river grabbers, saying that the company occupied river land in Mirersharai Mauza, under RS Dag No. 184.

"This list has been sent to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer concerned for necessary legal measures, including issuing notices, to evict the mentioned illegal occupants," reads the letter, signed by the then deputy commissioner.

The letter was sent to the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), the legal guardian of all rivers in the country.

The NRCC itself identified Shah Cement as a grabber of the two rivers in its 2018 and 2019 annual reports.

In its 2018 report, the NRCC said that Shah Cement "is gradually occupying and filling up river land and has put up signboard on river char."

The following year, the NRCC annual report said, "Shah Cement Company has filled up around 24 acres of river land in Mirersharai Mouza, Munshiganj Sadar Upazila, under RS Khatian No. 1 and RS Dag number 184, effectively occupying the river land. The land classification has been altered by sand filling."

The report added, "The company has constructed a massive factory, disrupting the flow of the Dhaleshwari River on one side and the Shitalakkhya River on the other, threatening to engulf both rivers."

The encroached parts of the river will be recovered soon. The digital survey in the area is complete. Demarcation pillars will be installed soon — Mobarak Hossain, Deputy Director, BIWTA's Narayanganj River Port.

The report also noted that the factory discharges liquid and solid waste into the Dhaleshwari.
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"This has caused serious damage to the river's water, environment, habitat, and biodiversity. The polluted water flows into the river through a large pipe, about four meters in diameter, directly from the Shah Cement factory…. The fly ash pollution has reduced fish, dolphins, and migratory birds," it said.

Contacted, former NRCC chairman Muzibur Rahman Howlader said, "I visited the area in 2019 and identified the factory as a river grabber. How does it continue to occupy the land for so long? The factory was set up by filling up two rivers. When I was NRCC chairman, I reviewed the CS and RS records and submitted a report confirming its illegal occupation."

Officials say the 2018 and 2019 NRCC annual reports and the 2023 list from the Munshiganj district administration, were based solely on RS Dag No. 184, where Shah Cement occupies 24 acres of river land. However, surveys conducted in December 2024 and early 2025 examined additional RS Dag numbers, suggesting that the total area of river land currently occupied by the company may exceed 24 acres.

Contacted, Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid said that the High Court has declared rivers as living entities, which means the local administration has the authority to clear encroachments immediately.

"I don't understand why they haven't acted yet, especially after August 5," he said.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the interim government has selected 13 rivers to free from illegal occupation within its limited tenure in office.

"If the encroachment of these rivers is on this list, you may see results during our tenure," she told The Daily Star.

BIWTA's NarayanganjRiver Port Deputy Director Mobarak Hossain said that the encroached parts of the river will be recovered soon. "The digital survey in the area is complete. Demarcation pillars will be installed soon."

'RIVER SHIFTED COURSE'

The Daily Star has been in touch with Shah Cement since January 26, 2025, when we first sent a set of written questions via WhatsApp. The company requested an in-person meeting instead, and we sat twice with the company representatives on February 5 and 18 at their Gulshan office and shared our findings. We also shared some land-related documents and selected portion of government reports, as requested by the company.

Upon repeated requests, the company finally responded to our queries on February 26.

Based on its response and claim, we gathered further documents and obtained new information, which we again shared with the company and sought clarifications and comments on the new findings throughout March. But the company did not respond.

In the February 26 written response, Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, Head of Corporate Affairs and Legal, said the company upholds the highest standard in adhering to all laws of the country.

Shah Cement Company has filled up around 24 acres of river land in Mirersharai Mouza, Munshiganj Sadar Upazila, under RS Khatian No. 1 and RS Dag number 184, effectively occupying the river land. The land classification has been altered by sand filling— NRCC report, 2019.

"Most of the river encroachment claims are based on CS records. After that, several other land surveys, such as RS, SA, and BS were conducted both before and after independence of Bangladesh. Due to natural movement of rivers, its courses have shifted to new areas since the CS record. This change is reflected in the recent land survey documents as well.

"Based on this, a few disputes are still in the court, and some matters remain sub-judice. However, considering the various aspects of the issue, it would not be wise for any organisation to draw a conclusion without examining the matter holistically and taking all probable factors into consideration," the company said.

The Daily Star has collected the relevant Cadastral Survey (CS) and Revisional Survey (RS) records, which earmark the area as river land. We have also obtained the SA records, created between the CS and RS records. These SA records also classify most of the area as river land, with a small portion designated as house properties.

But the land ministry considers SA records "inauthentic as they were created based on information from the landlords, rather than through field survey."

Moreover, in a landmark verdict in 2009, the High Court concluded that river land-related disputes must be settled in line with the CS and RS records.

The verdict, in relation to the demarcation of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers, acknowledged that every river in Bangladesh changes its course over time.

"This is a unique characteristic of the rivers in Bangladesh. Therefore, to solve the issues raised in this writ petition, we first need to determine the boundaries of our rivers …. It is noteworthy that a Cadastral Survey was conducted in the early part of the 20th century before the Partition, and maps and records were prepared based on that survey.

"These CS maps and records are still the most reliable…. For this reason, we can consider the CS maps as the primary basis for determining the boundaries of the rivers. Therefore, the place where the river is shown on the CS map should be primarily recognised as river," the verdict reads.

Even if a river changes its course from the location shown on the CS map, and as a result of such change, if a char emerges on one side of the river included in the CS map, that char area will also remain under government ownership, the HC noted.

"In accordance with the above-mentioned legal position, the next steps in the river survey must be taken in accordance with the RS records and maps prepared by Bangladesh. The survey work [to determine river area] must be completed in two ways: firstly, according to the CS map, and secondly, according to the RS map," the verdict stated.

Manzill Murshid, who was a counsel for the writ petitioner Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, said, "Land surveys like SA and BS do not provide any valid basis for identifying river land. In fact, the court has already issued a directive that river land should be identified based on the CS and RS records."

Despite repeated requests, Shah Cement did not say how much land it "owns" there or how much of the river land it rented for use with government approval.

It only said Shah Cement is one of the "highest rental paying companies of BIWTA in the country as we use foreshore near the adjacent rivers with due approvals from the authorities."

According to BIWTA sources, Shah Cement has been using foreshore land under a licence from the Narayanganj BIWTA Port Office since October 20, 2004, two years after the factory was set up. Currently, the company holds 11.28 acres of river foreshore land under the lease agreement, which expires in June this year.

Under the lease agreement, the company cannot fill up the river and its foreshore, cannot use additional river land, cannot change the riverbanks, cannot disrupt the navigability, cannot anchor ships haphazardly, and cannot dump waste into the river.

"Shah Cement is not complying with the terms of the agreement. They are gradually filling the river and foreshore by dumping waste, which is reducing the navigability of the river in that area. We occasionally visit the site, verbally instruct them to comply with the terms, and sometimes carry out evictions," a senior official of Narayanganj BIWTA Port Office told The Daily Star on April 13.

Contacted, Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain rejected Shah Cement's claim that it is not a river grabber.

"When I visited the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers [in December 2024], I saw that Shah Cement has encroached upon the river. I immediately instructed the officials concerned to take effective measures," told The Daily Star in March.

Contacted again yesterday for an update, he said, "I instructed the officials concerned to start a survey to determine how much land Shah Cement and other factories have occupied there. I am not sure what actions have been taken so far, but I will definitely follow up on this matter."​