Illegal logging by armed syndicates is pushing Bangladesh’s Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary toward collapse, as forest guards face gunfire, political protection shields criminals, and biodiversity loss deepens along the India-Bangladesh border.
Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Habiganj district, Bangladesh’s second-largest natural forest after the Sundarbans, is facing an escalating crisis as organised timber smuggling syndicates continue to strip it of valuable trees, reportedly under the protection of politically influential figures. Years of unchecked illegal logging have pushed the sanctuary to a critical point, with large, mature and high-value trees now rarely found even in its deepest zones.
Environmental experts and activists warn that continued destruction of the Rema-Kalenga could have consequences beyond Bangladesh’s borders, including cross-border timber trafficking, disruption of wildlife corridors and long-term biodiversity loss in northeastern South Asia.
Situated along the India–Bangladesh border in Chunarughat upazila, the 1,795-hectare Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Bangladesh’s most biologically rich forest ecosystems. It supports at least 638 species of trees, shrubs and climbers and historically served as an important habitat for large hardwood species and diverse wildlife. Prolonged illegal logging has significantly degraded the forest structure, threatening both biodiversity and ecological stability.
Forest officials say the situation has worsened in recent months, with smugglers becoming increasingly aggressive and openly threatening forest personnel. Armed confrontations between timber gangs and forest guards have added a dangerous security dimension to what was once primarily an environmental crime.
The most serious incident occurred on the night of 11 December in the Nishchintapur hills of the Kalenga beat, where a coordinated group was caught cutting teak trees. When forest guards attempted to intervene, the encounter escalated into a gunfight that lasted more than 30 minutes. According to Forest Department records, forest personnel fired 14 rounds in self-defence, while the smugglers fired at least 20 rounds.
Outnumbered by an estimated 50 to 60 armed loggers and constrained by limited manpower and equipment, forest guards were forced to retreat. The smugglers fled the scene with felled timber before Border Guard Bangladesh personnel arrived following an emergency alert.
Kalenga Beat Officer Al-Amin said the guards had no option but to withdraw. “We were heavily outnumbered. We intended to stop the logging, but given the circumstances, retreat was necessary to avoid casualties,” he said.
Residents living near the sanctuary say forest loss has become visibly pronounced over the past decade. “Earlier, the forest was dense and full of large trees. Now, many areas look bare,” said a local resident, who asked not to be named, noting that changes have accelerated in recent years.
Forest officials allege that several powerful local syndicates dominate timber smuggling operations in the area, operating primarily at night and transporting logs through border-adjacent routes. These activities, officials say, continue under the alleged protection of influential individuals, making enforcement difficult and often dangerous. There are also allegations that a small number of corrupt officials within the system may be aiding illegal operations, further weakening institutional control.
According to the Forest Department, one of the largest syndicates active in Rema-Kalenga is led by 29-year-old Suman Mia from Amtala village in Chunarughat upazila. Authorities say he faces at least seven criminal cases related to timber smuggling, narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms. Officials report that following political unrest in July, logging networks expanded their activities, exploiting gaps in enforcement and oversight.
Deputy Ranger Abdul Hadi said forest staff now operate in an environment of constant threat. “We are trained to protect the forest, not to confront armed criminals. Despite these risks, our staff continue their duties,” he said, adding that fear has become part of daily patrols.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Zainal Abedin said decisive law enforcement action is essential to curb the crisis. “If armed criminals are arrested and illegal weapons are recovered, timber smuggling will reduce significantly. Forest staff face repeated threats simply for conducting regular patrols. Effective policing would allow us to protect the forest without fear,” he said.
The Forest Department says intimidation has become routine, with smugglers frequently issuing threats under perceived political protection. Officials have repeatedly called for coordinated operations to recover illegal firearms, dismantle syndicates and strengthen security for forest personnel.
Chunarughat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafikul Islam said police operations are ongoing. “We are continuing our drive to arrest those involved. One suspect has already been detained in connection with the armed clash between forest guards and timber smugglers,” he said.
Without strengthened enforcement, improved protection for forest staff and accountability for those enabling illegal logging, conservationists fear Rema–Kalenga may soon follow the fate of many degraded forests in the region, eroded not by natural causes, but by organised crime, weak governance and prolonged impunity.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the destruction of Rema-Kalenga exposes a broader crisis of environmental governance in Bangladesh. “This is not simply about illegal logging. It is about power, impunity and whose lives and ecosystems are considered expendable. When armed syndicates can terrorise forest guards and strip a protected forest in plain sight, the rule of law has already failed. Saving Rema–Kalenga now requires political courage, not cosmetic enforcement,” he said.
