The government has taken an initiative to transfer 9, 467 acres of land in Sonadia, located in Moheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar, to the Forest Department for protection of the environment and biodiversity of the area.

On the southern coast and consisting of islands, the land was previously allocated to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for the establishment of an eco-tourism park. But now the process of transferring it to the Forest Department has begun.

Sundarbans at stake as erosion shrinks forest land
On Sunday, Shahin Akter Sumi, director (Investment Development and Monitoring-1) of BEZA, requested the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar to take necessary steps in this regard. This initiative has been undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said a media release on Monday.

Illegal activities such as tree cutting and shrimp farming on the allocated land have caused severe damage to the island's environment and biodiversity. In light of this situation, the decision has been made to transfer the allocated land to the Forest Department. Various measures will be taken to restore the environment of the 9, 467-acre forest area.

The initiatives include: Eviction of illegal encroachments, removal of barriers at the mouths and branches of canals to facilitate tidal water flow, restoration of sand dunes and beach conservation, reforestation with various mangrove and non-mangrove species such as kaw, keya, nishinda, coconut, palm, and gotivanga along connecting roads, and rehabilitation of degraded mangrove forests.

Full demarcation of Madhupur Sal Forest begins

Additionally, the 9, 467-acre forest area will be declared a protected area with public participation. This will ensure biodiversity conservation, halt illegal activities, and bring positive changes in tackling natural disasters, it adds.