Three lakh forest saplings die in Chattogram as action stalls despite probes

Two Forest Department investigations found widespread negligence after nearly 300,000 saplings died in Chattogram, yet authorities have failed to take disciplinary or legal action against those responsible.

Nearly 300,000 saplings planted with public funds in two coastal forest plantations in Bangladesh’s Chattogram have died while the Forest Department has failed to take action against those responsible despite two investigations confirming negligence and alleged irregularities more than eight months ago.

Official Forest Department records show that 80 hectares of plantations were established during the 2023-24 fiscal year at Domkhali and Moghadia beats under the Mirsarai Range through the Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods (SUFAL) Project.

The project created plantations across 60 hectares at Domkhali with 266,000 saplings and another 20 hectares at Moghadia with 88,000 saplings. At least Tk 3.04 million was spent on plantation development, gap filling and maintenance.

Funded by the World Bank the project aimed to improve forest resources establish coastal green belts and enhance the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities through alternative employment opportunities.

However a survey conducted by the Forest Department’s Management Planning Division in August 2025 found that the number of surviving saplings in both plantations was significantly lower than expected.

Following the survey the Chattogram Coastal Forest Division formed a three-member investigation committee on Sept. 29 2025 led by Assistant Conservator of Forests Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad.

The committee submitted its findings in October 2025 reporting that only 13.64 percent of saplings remained alive in the 60-hectare Domkhali plantation while the survival rate in the 20-hectare Moghadia plantation stood at just 6 percent.

The report described the survival rate in the government-funded plantations as far below expectations.

According to plantation journal records only about 36,000 of the original 266,000 saplings at Domkhali and around 5,000 of the 88,000 saplings at Moghadia were still alive.

That left just over 41,000 surviving saplings out of a total of 354,000 originally planted.

Based on the investigation then Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Chattogram Coastal Forest Division Belayet Hossain issued a show-cause notice on Oct. 6 2025 to Abdul Gafur Molla who was serving as acting ranger of the Mirsarai Range at the time.

The notice said the plantations had failed under Molla’s supervision and stated that failing to ensure the success of the plantations despite receiving government funds constituted an act of corruption.

It also alleged that negligence incompetence corruption and misconduct on Molla’s part had caused damage to the plantations.

Current DFO M A Hasan said Molla had been instructed to respond to the notice within seven days but had not submitted any explanation even after nearly eight months.

After taking charge Hasan formed another three-member investigation committee on Dec. 28 headed by Deputy Ranger Sarwar Jahan.

The committee submitted its report on Feb. 26 this year and reached similar conclusions.

The second investigation found that only 15 percent of saplings had survived in the 60-hectare Domkhali plantation while the survival rate in the 20-hectare Moghadia plantation had fallen to just 5 percent.

Despite both investigations reaching similar findings the Forest Department has yet to take any visible action against those involved.

Current Mirsarai Range Ranger Shahanshah Nawshad said virtually no trees now remain across the 80-hectare plantation.

“The plantation has effectively turned into barren char land. If responsibility for the misuse of public funds is not determined those of us who assumed responsibility later will also face blame. I have informed higher authorities and have also requested action in writing,” he said.

Forest Department officials said responsibility for establishing and maintaining plantations extends beyond the ranger and includes divisional forest officers assistant conservators beat officers and forest guards.

A retired deputy conservator of forests who requested anonymity said rangers and beat officers are directly involved in plantation work while DFOs and assistant conservators are responsible for supervision.

“Everyone shares responsibility. The accountability process has stalled after only one official was served with a show-cause notice,” the retired official said.

DFO Hasan said Molla had still not responded to the notice.

“I have been occupied with other administrative responsibilities. However I will treat the matter seriously. A departmental case will be filed against him,” he said.

Conservator of Forests for the Chattogram region Mihir Kumar Do said multiple investigation reports had identified irregularities and the failure of the plantations.

“I will examine why no action has been taken despite those findings. Legal action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law,” he said.

Contacted for comment Abdul Gafur Molla who is now serving in the Chattogram North Forest Division declined to discuss the matter in detail.

“The department will do whatever it considers appropriate in this matter,” he said.

This post is republished from The Daily Star.