Illegal electricity connections in Sherpur’s Garo Hills are accelerating forest encroachment and wildlife deaths, with more than 20 elephants reportedly electrocuted, prompting urgent calls for eviction and sanctuary protection.
Ignoring the law, electricity connections are being provided indiscriminately in the Garo Hills of Sherpur. It has been alleged that an unscrupulous group within the rural electricity authority is giving these connections in exchange for extra money. Wildlife is dying after coming into contact with these power lines. There are allegations that more than 20 elephants have been killed by electric shock. Environmentalists are demanding the eviction of illegal occupants and the declaration of the area as a wildlife sanctuary. Meanwhile, the Rural Electrification Board says connections will be disconnected if the Forest Department requests it.
According to the Sherpur Forest Division under the Mymensingh region, 2,037 acres of the district’s 19,275 acres of forest land have been encroached upon.
A visit to the Garo Hills shows that the area was once dotted with rolling hillocks and rich wildlife. Now, in defiance of rules and regulations, electricity connections have been provided to forest encroachers. Bright lights have pushed wildlife out of their natural habitat. The forest has gradually turned into a suburban settlement, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Sanchay Mistar Marak, a resident of Gurucharan Dudhnai village in Jhenaigati’s Kangsha union, said that during his childhood he saw civets, monkeys, deer, wild boars, squirrels, jungle fowl, various species of snakes, parrots, doves, mynas, parakeets, owls and different types of herons in the hills. “Now the hills no longer look the same. They have become barren. One house after another has been built and everything is illuminated with rural electricity connections. There is no deep forest left and wildlife has moved elsewhere,” he said.
Although electricity connections are not supposed to be provided on forest land without legal documents, locals say that connections are routinely granted in exchange for extra money. They allege that a dishonest syndicate within the rural power department provides connections within 24 hours if paid additional fees. For 4,000 to 5,000 taka, electricity can be secured within one or two days. This has become an unwritten rule and is accelerating forest loss.
Sanjida Zerin, joint member secretary of Save the Wildlife and Nature Sherpur, demanded the eviction of illegal occupants and the declaration of the forest as a wildlife sanctuary. “Constructing houses on forest land is illegal. How were electricity connections provided without verifying land documents? The hills have lost their previous form. Wildlife is losing habitat and biodiversity is under severe threat. In recent years elephants have been killed by electric shock. Cases were filed in court and some of the accused served prison terms,” she said.
She called for swift action against those involved in providing electricity connections without proper documentation.
Adnan Azad, chief of the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association, said that even 20 to 25 years ago the Garo Hills were dense forest. “Gradually encroachment has pushed wildlife into crisis. Humans are the intruders in the forest. Because of legal complications the Forest Department cannot evict all settlers. Many species have already disappeared from the Garo Hills. Electricity has become the most dangerous factor. Animals are being killed by electric shock. This is an irreparable loss. In particular elephants are being electrocuted. The electricity authorities cannot evade responsibility,” he said.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, said he had visited Balijuri in the Garo Hills where wild elephants were killed. “Most of the elephants were killed through electrified lines. Those responsible were jailed. Electricity connections inside the forest are causing the deaths of many animals and threatening biodiversity,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Sherpur Rural Electrification Association General Manager Engineer Mainuddin Ahmed said that electricity connections would be disconnected if the Forest Department requested it. He added that allegations of providing connections in exchange for extra money without proper verification would be investigated.
During a recent visit to the Garo Hills, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, said illegal encroachers must first be evicted.
