Stop denuding of hills, save our gardens, houses

Khasia community in Srimongal demands

12 September 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

Indigenous Khasia people form a human chain in Moulvibazar town yesterday demanding end to felling trees in their areas and steps to save their houses and betel leaf gardens in Nahar Punjee under Srimongal upazila of Moulvibazar district.Photo: STAR

People of indigenous Khasia community living in Nahar Punjees under Srimongal upazila of Moulvibazar yesterday formed human chain and held rally in the district town to demanding steps to save their betel leaf plantations, trees and houses. Earlier in September 2008, authorities of Nahar Tea Garden in Srimongal upazila sold four thousand trees and plants in Nahar Punji-1, Nahar Punjee-2 and Nahar Tea Garden area to one Selim Uddin and he started cutting the trees, said Khaled Nongrom and Ferly Surong, chiefs of the Nahar Punjee-1 and Nahar Punjee-2. Following movement by Khasia people, the Ministry of Forest and Environment ordered stopping tree cutting there. As the same ministry gave permission to cut those trees on June 15 this year, Selim Uddin felled 200 trees on that day and engaged 10 elephants to transport it from hills. Transportation of trees by the elephants caused massive destruction to their betel leaf gardens, houses, and fruit bearing trees including banana, said the Khasia people. Terming the tea garden authorities' act as an attempt to evict the Khasia community from the Nahar Punjees, the indigenous people have demanded stopping the move. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, a national organisation of indigenous people, and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon have expressed solidarity with the Khasia people living in Nahar Punjees regarding their 'struggle for existence'.