Staff Reporter :
The operations of the Mirsarai Range under the Chattogram North Forest Division are being carried out with only 11 personnel. Yet, despite this limited workforce, the range has achieved notable success.
Forest officials and staff of this important range are taking a firm stance in protecting the forest and wildlife. Despite having few hands, intense patrolling is ongoing in various beats under the range to support afforestation, seize illegally felled timber, and prevent forest encroachment and timber smuggling.
According to the Mirsarai Range Office, the range encompasses Gobania, Jorarganj, Hinguli, and the Mohamaya Ecopark. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, afforestation was carried out on 15 hectares of forestland under the revenue sector. Additionally, 270 hectares were afforested under the SUFAL project in the same period. At present, afforestation continues on another 15 hectares under the revenue sector.
On July 12, an eviction drive was carried out at Hinguli canal in the Hinguli beat against illegal sand extraction. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate and Mirsarai Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Saiful Islam.
Members of Mirsarai Police Station were also present during the operation. Two dredger machines and approximately 500 feet of pipe were destroyed. The Forest Department stated that as the culprits have been identified, a forest case will be filed regarding the incident.
The Range Office also reported that in the past four months, 125.61 cubic feet of teak wood was recovered after chasing smugglers. Additionally, 67.09 cubic feet of gamar wood and 113.28 cubic feet of other timber varieties were seized. On April 18, with assistance from Mirsarai police, a house under construction was evicted from the forest in the northern part of Gobania beat’s camp office, and a forest case was filed.
On the night of June 28, acting on a tip-off, an operation was conducted in the Mohamaya Ecopark lake, resulting in the seizure of 3,500 feet of fishing nets. Furthermore, on April 30, during a night operation in the reserved forest area under the Jorarganj beat, 18 pieces of teak logs were recovered. As the accused were identified, a forest case has been filed.
On April 10, an operation in the Gobania beat led to the recovery of 14 pieces of gamar and 18 pieces of eucalyptus wood. A forest case was filed as the accused in this incident were also identified.
Mirsarai Range Officer Md Al-Amin stated that his team is working tirelessly to protect the forest and wildlife under the directives of the Divisional Forest Officer. He also mentioned that attempts to illegally occupy forestland are being strictly resisted.
