The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for CHT and Environment and Forests Raja Debasish Roy on Thursday favoured appointment of 'forest settlement officers' (FSOs) in the forest-based districts to resolve disputes on land ownership with indigenous people.

"Forest settlement officers will work independently like a judge and decide which areas of the forests would be brought under 'reserve forest' and which areas would not be, after hearing local people and other indigenous rules," he said.

Raja Debasish was addressing a workshop on 'Protection of Modhupur Sal Forest and Rights of Forest People' in CIRDAP auditorium here as the chief guest.

Bangladesh Environment Layers Association (BELA) and Joyenshai Adivashi Unnayan Parishad, a forum of indigenous people of Modhupur area, jointly arranged the workshop to bring in force an effective way to protect Modhupur Sal Forest with the support of local indigenous community.

Former adviser of the caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal, former lawmaker Promode Mankin and noted environmentalist Dr Atiq A Rahman, among others, attended the workshop while Khushi Kabir, coordinator of non-government organization 'Nijera Kori', was in the chair.

Professor Sadeka Halim of Social Welfare Department of Dhaka University and Director (programme) of BELA Syeda Rezwana Hasan presented two keynote papers on 'Rights of Forest Dwellers: Local (Sal Forest, Modhupur) and International Context', and 'Legal Aspects of Modhupur Shalban' respectively.

Raja Debasish said the government had taken initiatives to settle the land disputes before bringing any forest land under Social Forestation (SF), but the move could not bring any benefits over the years as Department of Forest (DoF) itself has no idea about the actual land remained scattered in the vast tract of forests.

"DoF has no estate officer despite it owns huge areas of land in the forest and even concerned officials have no knowledge about the exact location of the land," he said.

As a result, DoF has to depend on deputy commissioners, who could not settle land disputes with indigenous and other local people even in two decades, Raja Debasish, hailed from indigenous community in Rangamati Hill District, said.

President of Joyenshai Adivashi Unnayan Parishad Ajoy A Mree, Secretary of Adivashi Forum Sanjib Drang, UNO of Modhupur Dr M Parvez Rahim, Divisional Forest Official Shah-e-Alam, documentary filmmaker on nature Ronald Haldar, Director of Aranyak Foundation Farid Uddin Ahmed, indigenous people leader Subash Jeng Cham and Chairman of Sholakuri Union Parishad Yakub Ali, among others, took part in the discussion.

Raja Debasish laid importance on changing the mentality of both forest officials and indigenous people on land ownership, saying united efforts are needed to protect the resources and biodiversity of the forests. However, he said, "We must recognize the rights of indigenous people on the forest lands, environment and biodiversity."

Dr Atiq Rahman said the rights of indigenous people should be given priority in plans of natural resources management, particularly in forest areas. He said the government must take the weak position of the indigenous people into consideration while taking development projects in forests to ensure their sustainability.

UNO of Modhupur Dr M Parvez Rahim said indiscriminate extraction of resources is ruining Modhupur Sal Forest despite the government over last two years ensured access of local community in decision making.

Precipitation in Modhupur forest decreased drastically over the last one decade due to destruction of forest, while many animals and birds are on the verge of extinction, he said.

Without awareness of indigenous people and their support, the forest enriched with enormous biodiversity could not be saved, he noted.

Professor Sadeka Halim in his keynote paper referred to laws relating to forest land ownership, forest management and rights of local people on forest land in different countries, particularly in neighbouring India, and laid importance on involving local people in regeneration and management of forests.

She said Modhupur Shalban on around 45,565 acres of land is a great biodiversified and resourceful property for Bangladesh which once was enriched with as many as 63 species of trees.

But, rubber plantation, continuous acquisition of land for reserve forest, firing range, ecopark and commercial cultivation of pineapple and banana were coupled with influx of people in the forest from surrounding areas to destroy the natural condition of Modhupur Sal Forest, she said.