Another 100 acres of forest land grabbed by Hasan Mahmud’s brother recovered in Ctg

The Forest Department has successfully recovered another 100 acres of forest land in the Sukhbilas area of Padua Union under Rangunia Upazila in Chattogram, which had been under the control of Ershad Mahmud, the younger brother of former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud.

The recovery operation took place yesterday (29 August), marking it the fourth significant reclamation in just four days. Since Monday (26 August), a total of 200 acres of forest land has been reclaimed so far.

According to officials of the Forest Department, Ershad Mahmud had been occupying 212 acres of forest land in the region since 2009, allegedly using his brother’s political influence. Over the years, he had developed various facilities on the land, including tourist spots, bungalows, gardens, and livestock farms.

Additionally, he reportedly took over water bodies for fish farming.

The recovery operation, led by Khurushia Range officer Mohammad Ashraful Islam under the supervision of Abdullah Al Mamun, divisional forest officer of Chattogram South Forest Division, has been ongoing for the past four days.

Mohammad Ashraful Islam told The Business Standard that yesterday alone, 100 acres of forest land was reclaimed in the Sukhbilas area, saying, “Ershad Mahmud had been using this land for buffalo pastures and fish farming in a large pond. During the operation, all encroachments, including 10 houses built by locals, were removed. The pond was also drained by cutting its banks.”

Mohammad Ashraful Islam emphasised that the recovered areas will soon undergo afforestation. He further stated that the department is committed to reclaiming all forest land occupied over the last 15 years, gradually restoring control of the state on the forest land.