The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Environmentalists and experts at a discussion meeting in the city said no compensation for damages inflicted to the Lawachhara Protected Forest by the US-based company Chevron's 3D seismic survey could restore the area.

The meeting on 'Rare Biodiversity in Lawachhara Protected Forest: Our Remedies' was held at Dhaka Reporters Unity jointly organised by Save Environment Movement and Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA).

Ronald Halder, a well-known ornithologist, in his digital presentation said, "The Lawachhara rainforest forest is the home to 300 out of 600 bird species of the country. There is no other forest in the country where such a large number of birds live in close proximity. Due to the seismic survey the breeding of the wild animals will be hampered. As a result, most of the wild animals including seasonal birds will deplete. No compensation can overcome the problem."

Prof Rafiqur Rahman, President of Co-management Committee of Nishorgo in Lawachhara, said, "When environmentalists, development activists, media personnel and local people are protesting against any kind of non-environmental activities in Lawachhara forest, some unscrupulous persons and organisations are involved in assisting Chevron to continue its activities in the protected forest area," and added, "We should identify the persons involved in such activities."

Iqbal Kabir of BELA said the Government in one hand was spending lakhs of taka for protecting and developing the forests across the country, on the other hand the Government agencies are silently cooperating some foreign multinational companies to run their activities.

"We should save our forests for our own interest. It is important to develop our forest areas rather than cooperate with foreign oil and energy companies," said Iqbal.

Abu Naser Khan, environmentalist, said, "We want to extract oil or gas for people's interest."

Speakers urged the Government to stop such non-environmental activities of Chevron in Lawachhara forest.