Forest Adviser’s achievements overshadowed by Molla Rezaul

Staff Reporter :

Forest Adviser’s Achievements has been Overshadowed by Molla Rezaul Karim, the Conservator of Forests (CF) for the Chattogram region.

Sources said, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has initiated an investigation into multiple allegations against this officer, who is widely regarded as a symbol of corruption. Recently, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid at his office in Chattogram and reportedly found preliminary evidence of corruption.

Despite these investigations, Molla Rezaul Karim is now being accused of falsely claiming the achievements of Forest Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan as his own. Moreover, he has been widely promoting accomplishments achieved under former Conservators of Forests in Chattogram as his own successes. This has sparked resentment among the working staff of the Forest Department in the Chattogram region.

Officials and employees working in the Chattogram region, requesting anonymity, stated that the credit for recovering forest land belongs to assistant conservators of forests, range officers, foresters, and other operational staff who actively participate in the drives. Divisional Forest Officers usually do not directly engage in these eviction operations but supervise them.

During these eviction drives, participants often face attacks from land grabbers, leading to injuries, bloodshed, and even deaths. While Divisional Forest Officers rarely claim credit for successful operations, for a higher-ranking official like Molla Rezaul to do so is seen as a sign of low-mindedness. This not only demoralizes the field staffs who risk their lives to protect forests and wildlife but also deprives them of the recognition they deserve.

They further alleged that a syndicate of seven Forest Department officials has been formed in the Chattogram region under Molla Rezaul’s leadership. This syndicate is actively trying to sideline lower-ranking officers and staff, leading to a breakdown of the chain of command and creating an unstable work environment. They noted that this group had been major beneficiaries during the previous fascist regime.

Investigations reveal that under the directive of the Forest Advisor, an eviction operation was conducted from August 26 to August 28 last year in the presence of the Divisional Forest Officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests from the Chattogram South Forest Division. During the operation, 105 acres of forest land were recovered from 212 acres illegally occupied by former Awami League Minister Hasan Mahmud and his brother Ershad, which included a gaur (wild cattle) farm and an amusement park.

However, Molla Rezaul Karim, who joined as Conservator of Forests for the Chattogram region only on September 2 of that year – after the eviction drive – is now claiming the success as his own. He is also propagating that 7,000 acres of forest land have been recovered in the Chattogram region under his leadership.

In contrast, during a recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, Forest Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated, “In Cox’s Bazar, buildings have been constructed illegally on 700 acres and 155 acres of forest land, and a 20-acre football training center was planned. We have finalized a process to reclaim 12,000 acres of forest land from such so-called development and individual interests for the Forest Department.”

Attempts to contact Chattogram Conservator of Forests Molla Rezaul Karim for comment were unsuccessful as he did not receive his phone.