Play store
Coastal forests in Patuakhali are disappearing rapidly, shrinking wildlife habitats and putting the region’s ecological balance at risk. Experts are calling for urgent action to protect forests, wildlife and marine ecosystems.
The protected forest beside Kuakata beach in Mahipur once covered about 2,165 acres. Two decades ago, it was home to fishing cats, jungle cats, junglefowl, deer, monkeys, snakes, birds and foxes.
More than half of the forest has since disappeared due to illegal logging and coastal erosion. Today, only a few foxes are occasionally seen. Other forests across the district are facing a similar crisis.
Baizid Munshi, team leader of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali’s Kalapara branch, said they had rescued and released around 7,500 distressed wild animals. He said aquatic wildlife in the sea was also facing growing threats.
KM Bacchu, convener of the Coastal Environment Protection Movement, said 120 dolphins, five whales and more than 30 turtles had washed ashore dead at Kuakata over the past five years. Several injured dolphins and turtles were rescued alive and released.
“Identifying the causes of these deaths and protecting wildlife and nature is now urgent,” he said.
Professor Dr Md Samsuzzoha of Patuakhali Science and Technology University warned that failure to protect nature could lead to a major environmental disaster.
Dr Mohammad Zahedur Rahman Mia, divisional forest officer of the Patuakhali Coastal Forest Department, said initiatives had been taken to investigate the deaths of marine animals washing ashore and strengthen nature conservation.