DHAKA, Apr 3, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said drives will be conducted soon against the illegal resorts and other establishments established by occupying forest land in Gazipur.

"A map of forest land encroachment will be prepared. Immediate action will be taken against the irrespective of government institutions, private individuals and organisations encroaching forest land. There will be no compromise to this end," he said.
 
He said 26,000 acres of forest land has been recovered so far and urgent measures will be taken to recover more forest land in the districts around Dhaka.

The environment minister made the remarks at a meeting at the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change here.

He said due to excessive pollution, even vegetables cannot grow in some areas of Gazipur, while fish cannot survive. "The challenges here are clear, not all problems will be solved at once," he said.

Saber Hossain said if accountability is ensured, no one can encroach forest land or cause harm to environment in the future.
 
Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr Fahmida Khanom, Director General of Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Division Sabirul Islam, Chief Conservator of Forest Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Gazipur City Corporation Advisor and former mayor Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Abul Fateh Mohammad Safiqul Islam, the Secretary of Gazipur Development Authority and representatives of Gazipur Metropolitan Police and District Police of Gazipur were at the meeting, among others.