Protect Kuakata's preserved forest area from the deforesters

‘Sagar Kanya’ Kuakata is the only beach in the country where both sunrise and sunset can be enjoyed. Located in the southwestern part of the country, this tourist destination is amazingly beautiful! However, due to poor communication infrastructure, it remained somewhat isolated for a long time. In 2021, after the inauguration of the Payra Bridge in Lebukhali, Patuakhali, the communication system in that region changed significantly. Along with that, the opening of the Padma Bridge has transformed the entire landscape of the southern region.

People from the capital Dhaka, as well as from the eastern and northern regions of the country, can now easily visit Kuakata. One of the major attractions for tourists in Kuakata is the vast preserved forest along the coast. Reports about the deforestation of this area have been appearing in newspapers for a long time. However, there are no reports indicating that the authorities are taking significant action to protect the forest.

According to news published on Sunday, May 16, the coastal protective forest of Kuakata is being destroyed due to marine erosion, rising tidal waters, and the activities of forest bandits. This deforestation is disrupting the environmental balance and increasing the risk to coastal residents during natural disasters. According to the Patuakhali Forest Department, the preserved forest spans approximately 13,984 hectares across the Gangamati, Lotachapli, Khajura, and Fatra areas of the nearly 18-kilometer-long Kuakata beach.

Once, the picturesque coconut, palmyra, and casuarina groves in this area attracted tourists. However, continuous erosion by the sea has already wiped out the coconut and palmyra groves. Additionally, since Cyclone Sidr in 2007, the trees in the forest have been dying regularly. Over the past 17 years, around 2,000 acres of forest have been lost due to erosion and natural causes, resulting in the destruction of over 200,000 trees.

If the forest is being destroyed due to the adverse effects of climate change, it can be somewhat consoling to attribute the deforestation to environmental causes, prompting measures to address it. However, when human activities contribute to the destruction amid natural calamities, it becomes inexcusable. Just a few months ago, newspapers reported that hundreds of acres of forestland were destroyed during the construction of embankments.

Furthermore, whenever they get the chance, miscreants are cutting down trees from the fores. To legitimize their tree cutting, they are intentionally killing trees and setting them on fire. Ponds have been dug on forest land to create fish farms. Despite local protests against the destruction of the forest, no positive outcomes have been achieved. On the contrary, locals claim that those who protested have been sued.

The forest in Kuakata is not only for creating scenic beauty but also serves as a natural shield for the people of Patuakhali, protecting them from storms, tidal surges, and the adverse effects of climate change. However, some miscreants prioritize their narrow interests over the greater interests, causing significant harm.

It's time to focus on the relevant authorities, including the Forest Department, to assess how much of the nation's significant asset is being damaged for the sake of a few individuals' interests. Due to climate change, this forest area is already suffering, and we must ensure that no further harm is inflicted by human hands. Instead, all efforts should be directed towards protecting and preserving this forest. Therefore, if we are to prevent the destruction of the forest in Kuakata, there is no alternative but to take strict measures against those involved in such activities, in accordance with existing laws.