Running of illegal saw mills at different places in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali has created havoc on environment making the coastal belt more vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change.
According to Kalapara forest office, a total of 59 saw mills are running in the upazila. Of them, 40 saw mills have approval from the Department of Environment and Forest department while 19 others are operating without any approval.
Local union parishad chairman and forest officials said 13 saw mills in Kalapara municipal area, eight at Baliatali, seven at Dhankhali, five at Nilganj, five at Mohipur, five at Latachapli, five at Champapur, four at Lalua, three at Mithaganj, two at Dalbuganj, one at Chakamaia, one at Tiakhali and one at Kalapara upazila are operating under the nose of district administration.
Mezbahuddin Mannu, local environment activist, however, said most sawmills did not renewed their documents from departments concerned.
“Thus, more than 30 sawmills running illegally in this coastal upazila making the local reserve forests to be barren land exposing 5 lakh people vulnerable to climate change affects like storm, cyclone and tidal surges,” he said.
Local people blamed collaboration between timbre traders and a section of unscrupulous officials of the DoE for the smooth running of illegal saw mills.
Nasir Talukdar, UP member of Lalua, said miscreants cut trees from coastal and social forestation areas at night and took those to nearby saw mills. Later, they sold wood at different brick kilns.
Habibur Rahman Tipu, member of upazila forest and environment committee, acknowledged that most of the saw mills running violating all rules and regulations.
As per the government rule no saw mill can be established 10 kilometers inside the reserve forest.
Forest department sources said in case of getting permission to set up a saw mill, an application has to be submitted to the local Divisional Forest Official and then after scrutiny, the DFO gives permission for the same for one year term on renewal condition.
During a visit, this correspondent found that two saw mills situated at two sides of Lakkhir Pol under Latachapli union which are few yards off Gangamoti reserved forest.
Emdadul Huq, forest officer of Mohipur range under Kalapara upazila, failed to give any statistics about the accurate number of saw mills operating in the area.
But he blamed beat-officers for not updating data and negotiating with the timber smugglers.
Sukumar Biswas, director of environment directorate Barisal office, said operating saw mill near any reserved forest areas was totally banned and there was a restriction to operate any saw mill without valid permission and regular renewal from DoE.
He also assured the correspondent that he would look into the matter.
