Mountain poachers should be swiftly brought under the purview of law.

Mountains are natural assets, government assets, and assets of the people. Regular thefts lead to mountain cutting in the Sitakunda, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, and the hill regions of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Occasionally, law enforcement agencies conduct campaigns against mountain cutting. Although these campaigns may be paused for a few days, they resume again. Due to unchecked destruction of mountain forests, the environment is being severely damaged, leading to the extinction of various species in the forests, which is very alarming.

This time, a forest officer died while trying to stop cutting the mountain. The name of the forest officer is Sazzaduzzaman (30). Sazzaduzzaman was engaged in charge of Dochhari forest area of Ukhia range of Cox's Bazar South Forest Division. According to the information published in the media, he was killed by the soil smugglers' dumper (mini truck) at around 3:30 pm on Saturday while conducting an operation to protect the forest in the Harinmara area of Rajapalang Union of Ukhia. He is the son of Mohammad Shahjahan of Ghazaria upazila of Munshiganj district. The forest workers said that the dumper belongs to a person named Sayed Karim of Harinmara area. A young man named Bappi was driving the dumper. Confirming the truth of the incident, an officer of the Ukhia Forest Ranger told the media that sand was being smuggled in a dumper by cutting the Harinmara hill late at night. Upon receiving the news, Sajjadujjaman reached the scene with motorcycle rider Mo. Ali (27). At that time, the sand smugglers ran away after hitting the motorcycle riders Sajjaduzzaman and Ali with a dumper. Consequently, Sajjad was killed at the scene of the incident due to fatal head injuries and excessive bleeding. In critical condition, the driver Mo. Ali, of the Ukhiya Range office, was admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.

It is surprising to think how much courage the miscreants can drive a dumper over a forest officer! Local residents have expressed concern that if justice is not served in this murder case, it will only embolden these criminals further. Md. Sarwar Alam, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Cox's Bazar South Forest Division, visited the scene early in the morning upon receiving the news. He informed the media that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

The dumper has already been seized. Police are searching for the owner and driver of the dumper. Sarwar Alam further stated that Sajjad sacrificed his own life in the pursuit of forest conservation. With his brutal death, we have lost a skilled and dedicated forest worker. Expressing determination to take united action against mountain poachers, the DFO stated, "Otherwise, mountain destruction will inevitably continue."

The frequent occurrence of mountain collapses in the Chittagong and hill tracts regions is primarily due to unchecked deforestation for settlement establishment and clearing of forests and vegetation. The intrinsic bond between forests, jungle, and vegetation within the mountains strengthens their stability. However, cutting down mountains weakens this bond, making them vulnerable to collapse. As a result, the paths of mountain collapses become more accessible. Consequently, loss of life occurs with each event. Indeed, the negligence-induced actions of some individuals lead to mountain collapse incidents every year during the monsoon season.

Every year, many people die due to mountain collapses. Following major incidents of mountain collapse, nationwide attention is drawn, and multiple investigation committees are formed. Recommendations such as halting mountain cutting are often made in the reports of these committees. However, in reality, very little action is taken. In places like Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, several syndicates continue unabated mountain cutting with excavators, drums, trucks, and modern machinery.

According to the Environmental Conservation Act enacted in 1995 and further strengthened by amendments in 2010, cutting down mountains or hills is prohibited in the country. But what is the use, if there is no proper implementation of the law? Are mountain poachers more powerful than the state? If not, then why isn't the relevant law implemented properly? It is known that extremely influential mountain cutters intimidate even the local employees of the Forest Department. In this context, Sajjadujjaman emerges as a significant figure in mountain conservation, a beacon of hope.

We hope that strict measures will be taken to enforce the existing laws of the country for the protection of mountains. Those involved in cutting mountains in Ukhiya should swiftly be brought under the purview of the law. Cases related to allegations of mountain cutting must be handled expeditiously through judicial proceedings. Therefore, to deter the cutting of trees and mountains in the hill regions, there is no alternative but to take stringent actions against those involved, in accordance with the existing laws.