Environmentalists at a roundtable called on the government to formulate a separate policy to protect forests, saying that the forests are being destroyed in the name of development.

They also said that forests in Jafflong, Lawachhara, Naharpunji and Madhab Kunda. where a huge number of indigenous people have been living, are now under threat of destruction from illegal logging.

Adivasi Paribesh Rakkha Andolon of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) organised the roundtable in the city on Monday.

The speakers said the

existence of indigenous people is under threat due to various activities such as survey for gas exploration at Lawachhara in Kamalganj, Mouhibazar, and destruction of forest in Jafflong for liftingof stones.

The development activities should be environment-friendly, but a number of organisations are destroying forests and evicting indigenous people in the name of development, they added.

The environmentalists also placed a number of demands, including stopping damaging environment in the name of industry, protecting the rights of

i*an oca vor •• j<1 /lir.M-ii indigenous people, banning logging at Khashiapunji and hilly forests and cancelling proposed Mourichhra eco-park.

Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad presided over the roundtable while coordinator of Adibashi Paribesh Rokkha Andolon Sharif Jamil presented a keynote paper.

Father Simos, Sanjib Drong, general secretary' of Bangladesh Adibasi Forum, Father Joseph Gomez, AZM Samsul Huda, consultant of FAO, Joyoti F Gomez and Dr Md Abdul Matin also spoke at the roundtable.