Lawachhara forests
This has reference to a news report published in your daily of 23rd. Feb, 2009(Page 16, column 1). The report tells us that seismic survey conducted for gas exploration did not adversely affect the biodiversity of Lawachhara forests. This should be heartening for us all. However, the IUCN survey on biodiversity is based mainly on Hoolock Gibbons. Nothing specific has been said about the “other species”. What are these “other species” and how was it determined that they have not fled from the disturbed area? Any student of biodiversity will tell you that surveys based on one or a few species is not reliable. There are a few reports on avifauna of this forest, but IUCN survey apparently did not take these into account. It is the smaller animals like squirrels, wild cats, mongoose etc. that are more likely to have been affected. Besides the Lawachhara forest is home to a number of rare species of butterflies and odonates(Dragonflies and Damselflies). I wonder why an organisation like IUCN did not include these in their survey. On the whole IUCN report may pacify general public but is certainly not acceptable.
I discussed the matter with Prof. Dr. Farid Ahsan, a wildlife biologist who did his doctoral thesis on the Gibbons of Lawachara forests. He said he was in full agreement with my view and even requested me to include his name in my letter to you.
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