29 years passed compensation still unresolved

Nearly 29 years after the devastating Magurchhara gas blowout, affected communities in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar are still waiting for compensation, as calls for justice and accountability continue to grow.

The 29th anniversary of the Magurchhara tragedy in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar on Sunday yet compensation for the disaster has still not been received.

The catastrophic blowout at the Magurchhara gas field in 1997 was not merely an industrial accident but a multidimensional disaster that severely damaged the country’s gas resources, environment, forests, biodiversity and national economy.

Nearly three decades later, affected people, environmentalists and stakeholders are still waiting for justice and compensation. Magurchhara Khasia Punji headman (minister) Jidison Pradhan Suchiang said that the extent of damage to the natural forest is still not fully understood by outsiders. “We, who live in this forest, understand the true impact,” he said.

Syed Amiruzzaman, leader of the National Committee for the Protection of Magurchhara Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, said Magurchhara is not just a gas field but a symbol of resource protection, environmental justice and national interest. He said that unresolved compensation even after 29 years reflects a failure of accountability and governance.

He further added that while the lost resources may never be fully recovered, compensation, accountability and lessons for the future must be ensured. He stressed that Magurchhara should remain a priority in national policy related to energy, environment and mineral resources.

Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, Md Abul Kalam, said that although forest damage has been assessed, compensation has not been received. “Natural forest damage cannot be restored within any short time. We must learn from past environmental disasters,” he added.

Despite the extensive damage, neither the affected communities nor the state has received compensation from the American company Occidental, which was involved in the exploration work at the time. Although government action has been limited, activists and concerned citizens continue to demand accountability.

The Magurchhara blowout remains a significant event in Bangladesh’s energy history, raising important questions about state capacity, energy policy, corporate accountability of multinational companies, and the rights of people over national resources. However, there has been little visible progress in securing compensation or taking effective legal action against those responsible.

The forests of the Lawachhara region, one of the country’s most important biodiversity-rich areas, suffered severe damage. Large numbers of trees were destroyed, wildlife habitats were lost, and the local ecosystem experienced long-term environmental changes.

According to oil and gas experts, approximately 245.86 BCF of recoverable gas was burned in the Magurchhara gas field, valued at around Tk 14,000 crore. Additional losses are estimated at around Tk 11,000 crore. Various studies related to the incident confirm these figures.

The fire affected around 87.5 acres of land in Magurchhara and surrounding areas, causing extensive damage. Studies show that the explosion resulted in losses of Tk 466.84 million in 29 tea gardens. In addition, 25,650 mature trees over 69.5 hectares of reserved forest were destroyed, with estimated losses of about Tk 336.10 million.

A government investigation estimated total losses at Tk 507.12 million. Potential long-term forest damage included 40 hectares of land and 151,450 trees. The projected recovery cost over 10 years was estimated at Tk 484.58 crore, bringing total forest-related losses to approximately Tk 9,858.31 crore.

The explosion also destroyed about 2,000 feet of railway track, causing losses of Tk 81.54 lakh excluding revenue. Road damage amounted to Tk 21 crore, gas pipeline damage Tk 13 lakh, and power line damage Tk 1.35 crore.

The residents of Magurchhara Khasia Punji reportedly continue to suffer economic losses, with livelihoods affected due to environmental destruction in the region.

The Paschim Bhanugachh Reserved Forest in Kamalganj Upazila, covering 1,250 hectares, was declared Lawachhara National Park in 1996 under the Wildlife Act of 1974. The explosion severely damaged the forest’s endangered wildlife and biodiversity.

Environmental experts and activists have alleged that instead of safe drilling materials, hazardous and environmentally damaging radioactive sources were used during exploration by Occidental at Magurchhara. The National Oil and Gas Protection Committee has also claimed that negligence, inexperience, indifference and incompetence contributed to the disaster.

Since the incident, a movement demanding compensation has continued. Every year on June 14, locals observe the day through human chains and other programmes. The well, which burned for more than six months after the explosion on June 14, 1997, was finally sealed on January 9, 1998. Occidental left Magurchhara on December 20, 1997, leading to strong public protests in the area.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary, a human chain programme was held in front of the Magurchhara gas field at noon on Sunday, June 14, organized by various organizations including the Mountain Protection, Environment and Development Society.

The programme was chaired by Md Mainul Islam Chowdhury, President of the Moulvibazar District Mountain Protection, Environment and Development Society, and moderated by Biplob Bhattacharya. Speakers included Syed Shamsuzzaman Selim, General Secretary of the society; women leader Mary Ralph; Saharab Islam Ruhin, President of Srimangal Upazila unit; tourist guide Md Habibur Rahman; and social activists Shimul Ahmed, Hazam Chong, Ajmal Mia and others.

Speakers at the human chain said that Bangladesh has yet to receive any compensation from Occidental, the company responsible for the Magurchhara disaster. They noted that despite government inaction, civil society remains active in demanding justice.

They further demanded public disclosure of the damage assessment report, compensation for victims, and improved access to gas connections for households in Kamalganj.