PHOTO: STAR

MOKAMMEL SHUVO, Cox’s Bazar

A spree of resort construction on Sonadia Island under Moheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar is causing severe damage to forestland and wildlife.

Locals said several resorts have already been built after clearing Jhau forests along both the eastern and western shores, while another three or four are currently under construction.

Located 12 kilometres from Cox’s Bazar city, the island has around 9,000 acres of coastal and mangrove forests. However, the rapid expansion of shrimp farms, illegal occupation, and pollution have long put its environment and biodiversity at risk.

Environmental activists warned that the coastal forest is an ecologically sensitive zone, and its destruction poses a serious threat to the island’s biodiversity.

Some local political figures have allegedly been grabbing government land near the beach and constructing the resorts after clearing forest areas. Several names have circulated on social media, though the accused have denied the allegations.

Residents said Sonadia had only two or three small illegal resorts and a few temporary structures and tents for tourists until last year. But in the last three months, around 10 to 12 new cottage-style resorts have been built along the shoreline.

Jhau forests have been cleared and the wood collected was reportedly used in the construction. At least three more wooden resorts are still being built.

These resorts also rent tents to tourists for overnight stays on the beach. They operate generators and solar panels to keep red and blue lights on throughout the night, which conservationists say disturb birds and sea turtles that come ashore to lay eggs.

Contacted, Md Ayub Ali, deputy ranger of the Gorakghata Range under the Coastal Afforestation Division, Chattogram, said they are aware of the resort construction but do not yet have the exact numbers.

In 2017, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority received 9,467 acres of the island for an eco-tourism park at a nominal cost of Tk 1,001. Large-scale tree cutting and shrimp farming followed, causing severe environmental damage and prompting several cases to be filed by the Department of Environment.

The Ministry of Land cancelled BEZA’s allocation on May 5 this year, returning the land to the Forest Department.

Ayub Ali said a gazette notification has not yet been issued, and as a result forest officials cannot take legal action against the encroachers. “The UNO of Moheshkhali has been informed in this regard,” he added.

“Construction of numerous resorts, loud noise and bright lighting have been threatening the nesting grounds of sea turtles. The turtle nesting season has already begun, and such activities may prevent turtles from coming to the beach,” said Abdul Kaiyum, manager of Nature Conservation Management.

He said around 170 migratory bird species use Sonadia as a flyway, and the island supports about 250 species of fish and 40 species of crabs. This biodiversity now faces imminent danger due to illegal tourism activities, and urgent measures are needed.

Contacted, Moheshkhali UNO Md Hedayet Ullah said four forest guards have been posted at the Sonadia Forest Beat to protect the island’s resources.

“Had the authorities been alerted earlier, drives could have been conducted sooner. A joint force operation will soon be launched to remove the illegal structures,” he said.