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The forested hilly region of Shal-Gazari. Most of the area of this region is covered by huge shal-gazari forests. A circle is setting fire to this green forest year after year. The fire is burning in different places of the government forest under the jurisdiction of the forest department. During spring, forest fires are more common due to the shedding of dry leaves. It is said that some unscrupulous forest department employees and drug addicts set the fire. In addition to encroachment of forests, biodiversity is under threat.
It can be seen on the surface, the forest is burning in the afternoon in Fakir Market area of Kamalpur village under Sagardighi bit of Dhalapara range. On the other hand, in the same area, Bhuiya Bari Mor, along with the prisoners, the surrounding forest is burning in the fire set by miscreants. Small and big trees of the forest are burning. Due to the wind, the fire is spreading from deep in the forest. The animals inside the forest are moving out of the forest.
Locals said that every year during this season, the forest burns. Fires at night and day. Gamblers and drug addicts burn the forest at night. However, it is not known who is setting the fire. On the other hand, unscrupulous employees of the forest department started the fire in a planned manner. As a result of setting fire, the small trees of the forest are burnt. Every year if there is a fire, no new trees can grow. Later the mature trees are felled as per government regulations. After that, the forest department employees handed over houses and shops in exchange of money. However, the senior forest officials are not seen to take any effective action in this regard.
A resident of Kamalpur area. Lal Mia said, 'When this time comes, the forest burns every year. Unscrupulous forest officials are causing these incidents with bribes from the powerful. Day and night, they took the opportunity and left with fire. If they can destroy the forest and hand over the houses here, it will be their profit.'
A resident of Fakir Market area. Naib Ali said, cows and goats have to be reared in the forest. Fire destroys grass, shrubs and insects. More fires are lit at midnight. Drug addicts or forest department people set fire.
Forest guard Shamchul Haque, who is in charge of Sagardighi bit, commented, 'I extinguished the fire in several places after receiving the news. It is very difficult to track who sets fire to the forest and when. It seems that drunks can set this fire. No one from the forest department should be involved in the burning of forests.'
In this regard Tangail Divisional Forest Officer. Sajjaduzzaman said, 'It is difficult to find out who is setting fire to the forest. They will be investigated and brought under the law. If any forest department employee is involved in setting fire to the forest, they will be traced.'
Shakeel/Saa
