Another 100 acres of forest land grabbed by Hasan Mahmud’s brother recovered in Ctg
The recovery operation took place yesterday (29 August), marking it the fourth significant reclamation in just four days
The Forest Department has successfully recovered another 100 acres of forest land in the Sukhbilas area of Padua Union under Rangunia Upazila in Chattogram, which had been under the control of Ershad Mahmud, the younger brother of former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud.
The recovery operation took place on Thursday, marking it the fourth significant reclamation in just four days. Since Monday, a total of 200 acres of forest land has been reclaimed so far.
According to forest officials, Ershad had been occupying 212 acres of forest lands in the region since 2009, allegedly using his brother's political influence.
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Over the years, Ershad had developed various facilities on the lands, including tourist centres, bungalows, gardens, and livestock farms, they said. Besides, he reportedly took over water bodies for fish farming.
The recovery operation, led by Khurushia Range Officer Mohammad Ashraful Islam under the supervision of Abdullah Al Mamun, divisional forest officer of Chattogram South Forest Division, has been ongoing for the past four days.
Range Officer Ashraful told The Business Standard that on Thursday alone, they recalled 100 acres of forest land in Sukhbilas area. "The land was being used for buffalo grazing and fish farming in a large pond."
He mentioned that all encroachments, including 10 tin houses, were removed. The pond was also drained by cutting its banks.
The forest official also said despite efforts to list the encroached land and issue eviction notices, the process was stalled due to the former minister's influence.
However, following the government change on 5 August, the Forest Department has managed to recover the land in a series of operations.
He added that the recovered areas will soon undergo afforestation and other areas of forest lands illegally occupied by Ershad will be recovered gradually.
Earlier, from Monday to Wednesday, the Forest Department recovered 100 acres of land under Ershad's occupation.
