Deforestation and unplanned development in Moulvibazar are forcing wildlife into villages, increasing rescues and conflict. Experts urge stronger laws, sustainable forest management and community action to protect habitats.
In the tea-growing hills of Moulvibazar, northeastern Bangladesh, villagers are encountering an increasingly unusual sight: snakes slithering through their gardens, macaques scavenging near homes and jungle cats prowling near the edges of towns. Experts say these encounters are a direct consequence of deforestation, unplanned development and habitat loss that are pushing wildlife out of their natural environments.
The trend mirrors a global pattern: as forests shrink and ecosystems are fragmented, wildlife increasingly comes into contact with people, from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the savannahs of Africa and the rainforests of Latin America. For Moulvibazar, experts say, the solution lies in sustainable forest management, stricter enforcement of environmental laws and stronger collaboration between authorities and local communities to ensure that wildlife and humans can coexist.
Local activists highlight that community involvement is essential. Rajdeep Dev Deep, a conservationist, noted: “Protecting wildlife is not just the government’s job. Awareness and engagement at the village level make rescue operations more effective and reduce conflict between humans and animals.”
Over the past year, the Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation (BWSF) rescued 67 wild animals in the Srimangal area, most of them injured, sick or stranded. “These animals often come into human settlements searching for food or because they are wounded,” said Swapan Kumar Dev Sojal, director of BWSF. “Unregulated land clearance and resort construction are forcing them into places they would not normally inhabit.”
Among the rescued animals were 23 pythons, nine macaques, six civets, four jungle cats, four hawks, three vipers and two cobras, alongside hornbills, kingfishers, mongooses, jackals, turtles and various owls. After receiving treatment, the animals were handed over to the Bangladesh Forest Department for safe release into the wild.
Environmentalists warn that the increasing frequency of such incidents signals a deeper ecological crisis. ASM Saleh Sohel, a member of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA) National Council, said: “Every species plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. If forests and natural habitats are not protected, these animals may vanish from our lands entirely. Rescue operations not only save lives but also educate communities about conservation.”
