Woods are shrinking at an alarming rate. It is estimated that only 5% of the surface of the country is now covered with forests. In near future all the remaining forests may disappear --a bleak prospect. No doubt, the human activities are responsible for the gradual shrinkage of the pristine nature -- the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, the forests in the Hill Tracts and other patches on the plain.

Illegal logging, destruction of trees due to agriculture and human encroachment-all these contributed to the process of deforestation. In this regard, we can highlight the rapid growth of population which is exerting pressure on the carrying capacity of the land. Forests are giving way to human habitations. Trees are being felled and used as building material and firewood. Another factor that did a great harm to our woods is the

practice of monoculture which ignored the issue of bio-diversity. In fine, we have shown a great apathy to our forests as well as the indigenous people who live there.

The Sundarbans has already been declared as a world heritage site by Unesco. More initiatives are required to save our remaining forests.

ZabedWali

Pahartali,Chittagong