The government has officially revoked the land lease previously granted to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for Sonadia Island in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, clearing the way to restore the island’s fragile ecosystem and biodiversity. With this decision, the Forest Department regains control of 9,467 acres of land after eight years.
A memorandum signed on May 5 by Masud Kamal, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Land’s Khas Land-2 Branch, confirmed the cancellation of the lease. According to the document, the government had initially been allotted 2,712 acres in Sonadia Mouza, 4,839 acres in the proposed Samudra Bilash Mouza, and 1,918 acres in Char Makbul Mouza under lease case no. 5/2016 for the establishment of a Special Economic Zone.
Sources from the Ministry of Land reported that after the lease was issued to develop an eco-park, the island suffered from unchecked environmental degradation, including tree felling, shrimp farming, and biodiversity loss. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is planning initiatives to restore the island’s natural environment.
Deputy Secretary Masud Kamal outlined several key steps for recovery, including evicting illegal occupants and clearing barriers from the island’s canals to allow tidal flow. He also mentioned plans to restore dunes and preserve the coastal stretch.
Reforestation is also on the agenda, with plans to plant mangrove and non-mangrove species such as keora, keya, nishinda, coconut, and palmyra palm. A long-term environmental restoration strategy is expected to help restore ecological balance and protect biodiversity.
In 2017, the Cox’s Bazar district administration allocated the land to BEZA for just Tk 1,001 in lease fee. BEZA intended to develop the country’s largest eco-tourism park. BEZA later commissioned a master plan from the Indian firm Mahindra Engineering.
However, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed a petition arguing that the proposed activities violated the Environmental Conservation Act, 1995. This led to a High Court order suspending the allocation.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently reaffirmed its conservation plans. A March 17 press release declared the entire 9,467 acres of Sonadia a protected area to halt illegal activities and strengthen natural disaster resilience.
Shahin Akter Sumi, BEZA’s Director (Investment Development & Monitoring), said the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner has been requested to take necessary action following the government’s decision.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
File Photo
