Forest conservation must be prioritised

Yesterday (March 21) was International Day of Forests. On this occasion, various articles were published in newspapers highlighting the importance of forests. It is imperative to discuss the necessity of forests, especially at a time when Bangladesh is facing increasing environmental threats. Even amidst environmental crises, discussions about forest conservation are always relevant.

This year, the theme of Forest Day was "Forests and Biodiversity: New Solutions for a Better World". It is true that sustainable development is essential for the progress of the world; however, it should not come at the expense of deforestation. Destroying forests may lead to the extinction of not only various animal species but also of human civilization itself.

The world is beginning to feel the catastrophic effects of environmental degradation. Environmental degradation, akin to nuclear warfare, poses a significant challenge to humanity. Protecting the integrity of the environment requires forest conservation. However, indiscriminate deforestation is being carried out for urbanization and industrialization projects. In densely populated countries like Bangladesh, forests are under even greater threat.

Unfortunately, a headline in a daily newspaper reads, "Forest Destruction in the Name of Forest Conservation Projects". Foreign trees are being planted under the guise of social development, artificial forests are being created in place of natural ones, and government forest development projects are not being implemented in suitable locations. Consequently, major forests in the country, including the Sundarbans, are now under threat.

Another report published in a daily newspaper reveals that the number of ships passing through the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has doubled in recent years. Despite the prohibition of ship traffic through the largest mangrove forest in the world, unregulated ship movements are causing river erosion, water pollution, and endangering biodiversity.

Furthermore, illegal logging and rubber plantations continue unabated. If the Forest Department and law enforcement agencies do not become vigilant about this issue, the damage will be irreversible.

According to available data, Bangladesh needs forest land covering 25% of its territory, but currently, only 15.58% is forested. In the past 17 years, nearly 66 square kilometers of forest have been lost in Bangladesh.
If this trend continues, not only will our quality of life be at risk, but also the future generations. Survival is not guaranteed through development alone. Humans need beautiful green nature to thrive. Therefore, forest conservation is imperative. There is no alternative to it.