S. M. Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, Cox's Bazar

Sonadia Island, the largest mangrove ecosystem in Maheshkhali upazila and a vital ecological shield for the coastal region, faces severe destruction due to unchecked illegal deforestation and land grabbing by politically influential syndicates.

Over the past two decades, approximately 9,000 acres of mangrove forest have been cleared on the island. Despite Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s national initiative to plant 25 crore trees over five years to restore ecological balance, local political and muscular influences continue to destroy vast tracts of mangrove and hilly forests across Cox's Bazar day and night.

Recognizing its immense ecological importance, the Department of Environment (DoE) declared Sonadia an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 2006, strictly prohibiting commercial transformation or land altering. However, the previous Awami League administration allocated 9,466.93 acres of Sonadia forest land—including around 8,000 acres of mangroves—to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for a nominal fee of Tk 1,001 to set up an eco-tourism park. Relevant ministry sources confirmed that BEZA is currently in the process of transferring this land back to the Forest Department.

Field investigations reveal a dire situation on the ground, with over 84 illegal shrimp enclosures established on grabbed forest land. Following recent political changes, local leaders and activists affiliated with the BNP, Awami League, and Jamaat-e-Islami have allegedly cleared an additional 4,000 acres of mangroves to construct more than 45 new shrimp enclosures.

Locals allege that approximately 8,000 acres of mangrove forest are currently under the control of an all-party syndicate backed by political and administrative clout. Residents noted that although newly elected Member of Parliament for Maheshkhali-Kutubdia, Alhaj Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid, initially announced a strong stance against mangrove destruction, his current silence has disappointed the local populace.

Concerns were also raised regarding historical encroachment dating back to 2003, when large swathes of mangroves were cleared and set on fire to construct unauthorized shrimp farms. While those structures were dismantled during a joint forces drive under the 2007 caretaker government, clearing activities have resurfaced. MP Alamgir Farid, however, denied any involvement or tacit support for the ongoing clearance.

Officials from the DoE and the Forest Department stated that over a hundred individuals have been accused across multiple cases filed over mangrove destruction and land grabbing. Despite legal action, the suspects remain at large and continue to operate, with some illegally leasing out grabbed lands for substantial financial gain.

Although the High Court previously directed authorities to halt the destruction of mangrove forests and evict illegal shrimp farms in Sonadia and adjacent areas such as Ghatibhanga, Tajiakata, and Hamidardia, the directive remains unimplemented. Zakia Sultana, a lawyer for the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), stated that constructing and maintaining shrimp enclosures by cutting down mangroves in defiance of explicit court orders constitutes direct contempt of court.

According to J. H. M. Yunus, convener of the environmental organization Dharitri Raksha Amra (DHARA), nearly 12,000 acres of mangrove forest have been destroyed to date, forcing over 5,000 animals and birds to abandon the island. The mangrove forest serves as a vital natural defense against cyclones and tidal surges; its loss exposes more than 500,000 residents of Maheshkhali to heightened risks during severe natural disasters.

The island’s ecosystem previously harbored 250 fish species, 150 species of snails and mussels, 50 crab species, 40 shrimp species, 170 bird species, and various wildlife, including fishing cats, sea turtles, and dolphins. Environmentalists warn that more than half of these species have now disappeared from the area due to habitat loss.

DoE Cox's Bazar Office Deputy Director Khandakar Mahmud Pasha confirmed that the department has filed two cases against 53 land grabbers involved in destroying Sonadia's mangroves, with investigation reports set to be submitted to court shortly. Separately, on April 2, the Coastal Forest Department filed another case against 30 individuals representing local BNP, Jamaat, and Awami League units.

When contacted regarding the ongoing destruction, Cox's Bazar District BNP Office Secretary Yusuph Badri stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has initiated nationwide tree plantation and canal-excavation drives to protect the environment, assuring that any environmentally destructive activities would be dealt with sternly.

Repeated attempts to reach Assistant Conservator of Forests Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad and Coastal Forest Department DFO M. A. Hasan via phone calls and messaging for official comments yielded no response.