April 25, 2025
COX’S BAZAR – Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said nearly 12,000 acres of forest land in Cox’s Bazar, previously allocated to different agencies, are being reclaimed and returned to the Forest Department.
Rizwana said this at a press briefing after visiting Bakkhali riverbank in Cox’s Bazar.
She informed that 700 acres of forest land in the district have already been recovered, while a person constructing buildings on 150 acres of forest land has been ordered to stop.
Also, 20 acres of land allocated for a football academy is being reclaimed, while the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner has been requested to recover 51 acres of more land, she said.
“The process of reclaiming land previously allocated to BEZA on Sonadia Island is also underway,” she added.
She said the rivers, forests and sea beaches in Cox’s Bazar will be freed from encroachment and pollution. No construction will be allowed in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) without proper approval, she added.