When will Cassava curse end for Khagrachhari forests?

Khagrachhari forests remain under threat from illegal cassava farming, as no action has been taken despite the District Environment and Forest Development Committee directing the UNOs of Matiranga and Manikchhari to investigate four months ago.

At a meeting on 10 August, the committee issued the directive and asked for  detailed reports on the issue. However, no reports have been submitted yet and illegal farming continues to spread unchecked.

The committee move followed the publication of a report in The Business Standard, "CHT forests being razed for cassava farming, harming biodiversity", published by The Business Standard on 20 April.

Mahfuz Ahmed Russel, founder of Pittachhara Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Initiative, expressed concern over the inaction. He accused local brokers, allegedly backed by a chemical company, of aggressively promoting cassava farming by convincing locals to lease land. 

"This is the harvesting season for cassava, and land preparation for the next cycle will soon begin," he said. "Without enforcement by government agencies, the spread of cassava cultivation will continue unchecked."

Russel warned that the rapid spread of cassava cultivation in the CHT is alarming. "If the government takes no action, within the next five years forests may disappear entirely," he added. "This practice is harming our environment, biodiversity and wildlife, further worsening the climate crisis."

Private organisations have reportedly cleared 1200 acres of forest in Matiranga's Belchhari union and 1,000 acres of hilly land in Manikchhari upazila to grow cassava. 

This large-scale deforestation and habitat destruction have raised concerns among conservationists, as about 80% of the hill tract land is considered more suitable for forestry than farming, according to the Khagrachhari Forest Department.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, told TBS that instructions had been issued on taking action against cassava farming in the CHT, which is harming the environment and biodiversity.

Md Sahiduzzaman, deputy commissioner of Khagrachhari, admitted delays in receiving investigation reports, pinning the blame on changes in administration. "The previous UNOs were transferred, and the newly appointed ones are yet to submit the required details," he said.

Matiranga UNO Manjur Alam told TBS that he is aware of the issue but has not been able to visit the farming site due to work pressure. "I will visit the area soon and file a report." 

Manikchhari UNO Tahmina Afroz Bhuiyan said, "I recently joined this upazila and am not aware of any orders to file a report on cassava farming." 

She added, "I will check with the office to see if such an order exists."

The District Environment and Forest Development Committee, led by the deputy commissioner, stressed the need for a joint decision by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and local authorities to assess the long-term impact of cassava farming. 

Conservationists suggest promoting the planting of native trees to protect biodiversity and support sustainable economic growth in the region.