Protected forestland and riverbanks are being illegally occupied in the Char Signboard area of Kachipara village under Patuakhali's Rangabali upazila, allegedly to cultivate watermelon by building an embankment.
Locals said tree felling and earth-cutting are being carried out at night using three excavators.
According to the Coastal Forest Division, Char Signboard was declared a 415-acre reserve forest on April 4, 2010 through a gazette notification, which also states that any newly emerged land attached to the shoal would automatically fall under Forest Department jurisdiction.
Mangrove afforestation later began in the area, with jhau, koromja, keora, gewa and bain trees planted.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the Forest Department planted jhau trees on 20 hectares, koromja on 10 hectares and keora-bain trees on 30 hectares in this protected forestland.
On November 8, local resident Manik Mollah reportedly brought in two excavators and began cutting soil inside the protected forest to build an embankment around his proposed watermelon plantation, allegedly felling more than 300 trees.
Forest officials visited the site on November 19 and temporarily halted the work.
"This is protected forestland. When we went to the spot, we saw two excavators destroying trees and cutting through the forest to build an embankment. We stopped the work and informed the UNO. However, on that night, another excavator was brought in, and the three machines continued cutting soil throughout the night. Around 30 hectares of forestland and more than 200 trees have been damaged," said Md Jalal Ahmed Khan, acting officer of the Kaukhali Forest Beat.
Contacted, Manik Mollah claimed he was working with permission from Tahshildar Jahidul Islam.
The tahshildar said the UNO was aware of it and declined to comment further.
Rangabali Range Officer Abu Kalam Azad said they visited the site on November 19, ordered all activities to stop, and submitted the protected forest gazette and supporting documents to the UNO.
"The UNO then told us he would look into the matter, so we did not file a case. Yet, three excavators were used that night to continue cutting soil in the forest," he said.
"No one will be allowed to harm protected forestland. Legal action will be taken against those responsible," he added.
Contacted, Rangabali UNO Rajib Das Purkaystha said, "I was not aware of the matter earlier. The Forest Department has since provided the gazette and documents. Necessary action will be taken after consulting with higher authorities."