Protecting forest, struggling to survive

Detailed summary

I have been risking my life to protect the forests and wildlife of Lawachara, yet I have not received my wages for five months. My family and I are struggling to make ends meet,”…

“I have been risking my life to protect the forests and wildlife of Lawachara, yet I have not received my wages for five months. My family and I are struggling to make ends meet,” said Arun Nayek, a member of the Community Patrolling Group (CPG).

Like him, 39 other CPG members protecting Lawachara National Park and three forest beats under the Sreemangal Wildlife Range in Moulvibazar have been without their allowances for five months, leaving many struggling to support their families.

According to CPG sources, the 40 members, including 30 men and 10 women, patrol the Lawachara, Kalachara and Chautali forest beats to protect wildlife and biodiversity.

The workers, recruited by the Lawachara Co-Management Committee (CMC), alleged that payments stopped after Divisional Forest Officer Md Abul Kalam questioned the committee’s legitimacy and withheld funds.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Daily Star. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.