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Wildlife facing water crisis at Teknaf, Ukhiya

Published : Saturday, 18 May, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 472
Farhad Iqbal
COXS BAZAR, May 17: Both human life and wildlife are facing untold sufferings of drinking water and accommodation crises in the district.

Due to unabated deforestation and groundwater layer downing, this crisis has almost been alarming in Coxs Bazar.

But it is critical in Rohingya-dominated Teknaf-Ukhiya upazilas of the district. According to official sources, about 8,000 hectares (ha) of forests were damaged by Rohingya people in these two upazilas.

Only two decades back, there would remain water in streams and other marshes in the dry season.

In addition to the unabated deforestation, unplanned   deep tube-well and shallow machine installations and no-rain have caused the downing of water layers.

Now in search of feed and water, wild animals are moving towards localities, and they are embracing deaths; birds are becoming victims of human consumptions.

In this situation, sentient sections demanded necessary steps for protecting forests.

The Department of Environment is asking for creating new forests.

Professor Dr Mosharraf Hossain of the Institute of Forestry & Environmental Science of the Chattogram University presented pictures of water crisis at a recently held seminar, arranged by a non-government organisation Codec.

He said, hilly streams are the natural water sources for wildlife; but the drying condition of these is causing living sufferings to the wild animals.
 
One side of Teknaf-Ukhiya is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal while the other side is banked by the Naf River, and, in the middle there are forests, he added.

He further said, many animals are dying.

Elephants, snakes and birds are moving towards localities, he said again.

Also due to water crisis many local families have shifted to other villages for drinking water, he added.

Locals said, forest areas are decreasing due to grabbing forests in the southern region.

A local of Bahar Chhara Shilakhali area at Teknaf Shafiul Alam said, there would remain water in hilly streams and canals two decades back during the dry season; now these streams and canals have lost even their marks of existence; trees are cut desperately.   

A wildlife protection activist of Shamlapur area at Teknaf Shahjahan Mia said, "In search of  food and water, pythons and other animals are entering localities. We are rescuing and releasing them."

Codecs Nature & Life Project Director Dr Shitol Kumar Nath said, it is urgent to take combined initiative to address water crisis in the Teknaf-Ukhiya; not only the wildlife but also local human life is facing severity of the water crisis.

In addition to stopping cutting the forest trees, other steps need to be taken to protect the wildlife, he added.

Executive Engineer of the Public Health Department-Coxs Bazar Mostafizur Rahman said, the groundwater demand has increased with increasing number of pucca and semi-puca buildings; the drinking water crisis is increasing day by day.

In order to eradicate the drinking water crisis, the Public Health Department is implementing Rainwater Harvesting Project, with importance in the Rohingya-dominated Teknaf-Ukhiya area, he added.

He further said, already a total of 600 acres of land have been proposed for lease taking at Palongkhali at Ukhia.

But it is urgent to reactivate steams and canals inside forests, he maintained.

Coss Bazars South Divisional Forest Officer Md Sarwar Alam said, about 8,000 ha of forests lost biodiversity in Teknaf-Ukhia due to Rohingya accommodation; along with this, due to lack of awareness, tree cutting and stealing are going on in most areas in hills, ranging from top to bottom; and after cutting the big tress, streams are drying.

He informed, according to research recommendations, tree saplings are planted along both sides of steams.

If locals don come forward along with forest workers, it will be difficult to protect nature and environment, the official maintained.



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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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