Grabbers feast on forestland as officials indifferent

Influential land grabbers allegedly blessed by ruling party men occupied about three acres of forestland in Gomnati forest beat under Domar Range in the district to create a market at Uttor Gomnati village of Domar upazila, allegedly in collusion with a section of corrupt forest officials.

During a visit to the occupied forestland at Gomnati village on Sunday, it was learnt that 70-80 shops, business centres and even mills and factories have been built on grabbed land beside important Domar-Gomnati road during the last one year.

"The government took land from my father and uncle and many others in mid-60s to create a forest on condition that we would get 50% of the money from selling the matured trees," said Nur Islam of the area.

"But now there is no tree on my land and the grabbers illegally created shops on it. Forest guards or officials concerned sometimes remain standing on the spot to help grabbers build shops as they get handsome amounts as bribe," he alleged.

Another villager Abul Kashem said the forest department took possession of the land of their house to create forest but grabbers occupied that land and corrupt forest officials threatened to sue as he protested.

It is surprising that the forest department in Domar has not issued any notice or file any case against the powerful land grabbers, said Ansar Ali, union parishad member from that village.

Several traders seeking anonymity said some forest officials realised Tk 10-30 thousand from them for giving opportunity of doing business on grabbed land as many grabbers rented the shops or sold possession for high prices.

Md Abu Bakkar Siddique, forest ranger of Domar, said he had raised the matter and other occupation related issues in the monthly law and order committee meeting of the upazila parishad, requesting start of an eviction drive.

"The matter now depends on the UNO as he is the head of the upazila forest development committee," he said.

He refuted the allegation of taking bribe by any forest officials for helping the land grabbers.

Contacted, Domar UNO Sabiha Sultana said she joined there recently and she would take step to recover the grabbed forestland after investigation.