Activists Urge Halt to Infrastructure Projects Threatening Elephant Corridors in Chittagong

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Environmental activists and concerned citizens gathered in Chittagong to protest against infrastructure projects threatening local ecosystems, demanding a shift in national policy toward sustainable development. The demonstration focused on the proposed construction of a five-kilometer road through the Khutakhali-Medhakachhapia elephant corridor in Chakaria, which critics claim was advanced without necessary authorization from the forest department.

Freedom fighter Mahfuzur Rahman emphasized that safeguarding the environment requires a fundamental restructuring of political and state decision-making frameworks. He noted that the forest department frequently faces immense pressure from influential figures, which hinders its ability to fulfill its mandate, and called for a collective national movement to protect the country’s dwindling forest reserves.

Former Chittagong Education Board Secretary Abdul Alim argued that the struggle for environmental preservation is intrinsically linked to the survival of humanity. He urged the government to mandate environmental impact assessments and consult with independent experts before approving large-scale projects. He added that the public expects an administration that prioritizes the welfare of nature and wildlife over short-term industrial gains.

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The protest, which featured speakers from various environmental and community organizations, underscored that while development is necessary, it cannot come at the cost of vital wildlife corridors. The participants presented a five-point list of demands, including the cancellation of the road project through the Madhushia Garjan forest, the provision of legal protection for elephant corridors, and the implementation of impartial environmental impact assessments.

The activists also called for the immediate preservation of remaining natural forests in Satkania, Chakaria, and across the broader Chittagong region. These concerns echo recent investigative reporting by Prothom Alo, which highlighted the environmental degradation caused by road construction initiatives in Satkania and the encroaching development within established elephant migration paths.