MINTU DESHWARA, Moulvibazar

Various food stalls and gift shops have been operating inside Lawachhara National Park in Moulvibazar for the past 11 years, posing a serious threat to its fragile ecosystem and biodiversity.

Environmentalists said more than 10 shops were set up with the Forest Department’s approval, but their presence -- along with the growing number of visitors, vehicle movement, and noise -- has severely disrupted the park’s wildlife habitat.

The 1,250-hectare park is home to several rare and endangered species.

According to sources in the park’s Co-Management Committee (CMC), most of the shops were built irregularly around 2014 without following proper procedure.

A former CMC member, requesting anonymity, said, “There are no shops allocated for women’s Community Patrol Groups (CPGs), even though they need them the most. Only one shop belongs to CPG member Hatim Ali Longdo. The rest are run by private traders with backing from local influential people, but have no link with the CPGs.”

Hatim Ali said he started his shop in 1964. “Initially, my shop was inside Lawachhara Punjee. The authorities brought and settled me here. In 2000, I was relocated near the rest house, and again in 2005 to a hillock near the CMC office. During the pandemic, I was shifted to the entrance gate area,” he said.

Swapan Deb Sajal, director of Bangladesh Banya Prani Sheba Foundation, said plastic littering, frequent vehicle movement, and the operation of numerous shops within the park are damaging its ecosystem.

Sohel Shyam, founder of Stand for Our Endangered Wildlife, echoed the concern.

Saju Marchiang, publication secretary of the Khasi Social Council, said, “We demand a noise- and disturbance-free habitat for the park’s wildlife. These shops are right at the entrance of the forest, polluting the area with litter.”

Abul Kalam, divisional forest officer of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation in Sylhet, said the ministry concerned recently ordered the eviction of all shops except one or two eco-friendly outlets currently operating within the park.

“We are now working on implementing the directive,” he added.