The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a union of governments and NGOs working on environmental issues, is likely to submit its Lawachhara forest post-survey report to the Ministry of Forrest and Environment next month.

According to so urces, the IUCN conducted the independent survey in the Lawachhara forest following a 3-dimentional (3D) survey by Chevron, a US-based oil company.

The main objective of the IUCN survey was to find out whether the 3D survey, conducted by Chevron from January to the first week of June for hydrocarbon exploration, caused any damage to the national forest. The IUCN worked alongside Chevron to monitor the seismic survey and advised it to maintain environmental guidelines.

IUCN officials said they have conducted their own survey from the second week of June just after conclusion of Chevron's 3D survey. "We're now preparing our report on the basis of the post-survey findings," said a senior IUCN official.

He said it appears that Chevron's seismic survey has not caused any major damage to the flora and fauna of the forest. "Even there is no evidence that any bird or animal has fled the forest being disturbed by the blasts carried out during the seismic survey."

He went on: "Before the seismic survey, there were 15 groups of holoock gibbon in the forest. And we've found an additional group of holoock gibbon after the survey let alone the question of harming the existing ones."

After the seismic survey, some local environmental groups alleged that many birds and animals fled the Lawachhara forest being disturbed by the blasts.

Environmentalist Prof. Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, addressing a function organised by local NGO SHED, said the Lawachhara forest is a home to many rare species, including Ulluk (Holoock Gibbon). "Unfortunately, foreigners are now destroying our forests, which will be disastrous for the country's environment," he said.

He urged the caretaker government for taking immediate steps to save the Lawachhara forest in Habiganj from the "destructive" activities of the US-based oil company.

The function was addressed, among others, by Prof. Sakhawat Ali Khan, Prof. Anu Mohammad and Dr Noazesh Ahmed and Dwijen Sarma.

"When environmentalists at home and abroad have issued statements against Chevron's activities, the Petrobangla chairman supports the seismic survey," said Prof Anu Mohammad.

According to the Khasia tribal community, the Lawachhara forest is popular globally, as it is a home to 167 species of plant, large number of species of animal and bird.

Chevron has dismissed all the allegations claiming that it conducted the survey in full compliance with the government guidelines.

"We're happy as we have been able to successfully complete the seismic work in an environmentally sensitive area such as the Lawachhara forest, which is a diverse hub of flora and fauna," Chevron Bangladesh chief Steve Wilson told UNB.

"I'm proud that we've successfully carried out our work without leaving a lasting imprint on the environment while simultaneously maintaining Chevron's excellent safety record," he added.

He said, "Several concerns were raised with regards to the potential impact of the seismic activities on the forest. We've always welcomed constructive feedbacks and viewpoints from all stakeholders and made a concerted effort to effectively address the issues that were voiced."

Petrobangla Chairman Jalal Ahmed said the concerns of the environmentalists are baseless as all the steps were taken to minimise the possible damages.

"We're not ruling out any possibility of damage, but if there was any that's definitely very insignificant as all precautionary measures were taken."

He offered Petrobangla's all-out support if any government agency or NGO wants to conduct any survey to identify damages in the forest.