'Save land, wetland from encroachers'

At a human chain formed by CLNB at Muktangan in the city, the speakers urged the government to launch a joint drive of BDR, Rab, Police and Ansar-VDP led by the Army to resist the grabbers.

They said if natural resources are conserved properly, around Tk 8.5 crore could be earned yearly and employment of lakhs of unemployed persons could be ensured.

The speakers said the country's forest resources are shrinking at an alarming rate due to forest grabbers and dishonest employees of the forest department.

On the other hand, illegal occupation of land, canals and rivers by vested quarters are leading to natural disasters, they added.

Presided over by Harunur Rashid, the human chain was also addressed by CLNB General Secretary Mozammel Huq Chowdhury, Convenor of Nadi Sangskar and Pani Byabohar Sangram Parishad SM Shahadat Hossain, leader of landless people Shah Alam, farmers' representative Renu Mia and human rights activist Advocate Abul Kashem.