‘Re-excavate natural waterbodies’

Environmentalist Asit Ranjan Paul, who served as the divisional forest officer in Tangail from 2010 to 2013, says waterbodies are blessings for all. But before digging any new waterbody near or in the localities, locals should be discussed.

Talking to The Daily Star recently, Asit also said there was a shortage of water bodies in Madhupur Sal forest.

"The authorities should re-excavate the natural water bodies in the Madhupur forest area. It will be good for the environment as well as wild lives," he said.

 Goutam Chandra Chanda, divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) in Tangail, said digging an artificial lake near the indigenous peoples' villages will hamper their daily lives and livelihood.

Movement of tourists in and near the villages will not only invade privacy of the indigenous community but also pose threat to the security of the women and children.

Moreover, digging the artificial lake on the Baid (free space at forests) will destroy the biodiversity of the traditional forest. "So Bela thinks that the Forest Department should cancel the project of artificial lake," he said.