Faruk Mahmud, Chunarughat (Habiganj) 

 Highlighting the severe water crisis facing wildlife in Satchhari National Park in Chunarughat Upazila of Habiganj, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Advocate Aminul Islam, has called for the immediate re-excavation and restoration of the park's silted-up reservoirs and ponds.

He assured that he is prepared to personally fund the excavation of ponds and installation of water supply systems for the park's wildlife if the Forest Department agrees to the initiative.

The Chief Prosecutor made the observations during a visit to Satchhari National Park at 11:00 AM on Saturday accompanied by a prosecution team from the International Crimes Tribunal. Satchhari Range Officer Mubarak Hossain and other Forest Department officials guided the team through the park.

During the visit, forest officials briefed the team that recent heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides had deposited large amounts of silt and sand into key water bodies inside the national park. In particular, the primary water sources—including the "Boro Pukur"—have been severely compromised, raising fears of an acute water shortage for wildlife in the upcoming dry season.

According to the Forest Department and local environmentalists, two of the park's three major water bodies have suffered severe damage from hill runoff, with one completely dried up and another rapidly filling with silt.

Officials warned that if internal water sources dry up, endangered species such as hoolock gibbons, phayre's leaf monkeys, deer, and fishing cats may venture into human settlements searching for water, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. 

 Adv. Aminul Islam stressed the need to deepen the ponds, reinforce their embankments, and ensure a permanent water supply for the upcoming dry season, suggesting the installation of deep tube-wells or sustainable artificial reservoirs if necessary.