A boundary wall in Teknaf’s protected forest alarms residents and environmentalists, who warn it could block wildlife movement, harm biodiversity, and worsen ecological risks in an already fragile habitat.
Residents in Bangladesh’s southeastern coastal district of Cox’s Bazar have voiced concern over the construction of a nearly 10-foot-high boundary wall inside a protected forest in Teknaf, warning it could disrupt wildlife movement and threaten biodiversity.
The wall is being built across a large section of reserved forest land in the Nayapara area under Muchni Beat in Teknaf Range, near the 26 No. Shalbagan camp. Local sources say the structure is about 1,000 feet long and approximately 10 feet high.
A representative involved in the work said the project is part of a waste management initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.
However, residents allege that constructing such a large installation inside a forest under the guise of waste management could pose a serious environmental threat. They fear it may not only damage biodiversity but also increase the risk of the area becoming prone to criminal activities.
According to the Forest Department, protected forest areas in Teknaf, including Shalbagan and nearby nature parks, are home to around 286 species of wildlife. These include monkeys, foxes, bears, elephants, jungle fowl and various reptiles. Since the establishment of Rohingya refugee camps in the region, natural habitats have significantly shrunk. Many animals have retreated deeper into the forest while some species now face the risk of extinction.
Forest officials say the area stretching from Leda to Shalbagan and up to the nature park is a crucial habitat and feeding ground for wildlife. They warn that building a large wall through this zone could obstruct the movement of more than 200 species. In addition, setting up a waste management facility in the forest may further increase the risk of environmental pollution.
H. M. Nazrul Islam, organising secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon in Cox’s Bazar, said any construction inside a protected forest must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment. He said such assessments help identify potential damage in advance and allow preventive measures to be taken.
When contacted, a representative of the implementing agency said they would visit the site to review the matter but disconnected the call during the conversation.
Mohammad Abdul Hannan, camp-in-charge of the 26 No. Rohingya camp, said they have no direct involvement in the project. He said such initiatives are carried out with approval from relevant ministries and implemented through coordination between the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and UNDP.
Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Divisional Forest Officer of Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division, said he was not aware of the project. He warned that large-scale wall construction inside a protected forest would disrupt natural wildlife movement and could push many species toward extinction over time.
Environmentalists and residents have called for urgent action to protect the forest. They urged authorities to prioritise environmental protection and biodiversity conservation before implementing any development project in sensitive ecological areas.
