To tackle the ongoing food shortage for wild elephants, the Fasiakhali Range under the North Forest Division of Cox’s Bazar has launched a new initiative. On Saturday, 700 bamboo saplings were planted inside the Fasiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary under local management.
Mohammad Mehraj Uddin, Range Officer of Fasiakhali, stated that the initiative aims to ensure a sustainable food supply for the elephants within the sanctuary. “The food crisis for wild elephants has been a persistent issue,” he explained. “Last year, we planted 500 banana trees and 1,000 bags of grass. This year, we are planting bamboo, which is one of the elephants’ favorite foods.”
He added that similar initiatives will continue in the future to ensure human-wildlife coexistence through collaboration between local communities and the forest department.
It is worth noting that the natural habitat of wild elephants in Cox’s Bazar has been shrinking, often leading to food shortages that prompt elephant herds to move into human settlements, creating risks for both people and wildlife. The forest department hopes that this bamboo planting initiative will help ease the crisis and reduce human-elephant conflict in the region.
Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Mohammad Sahal
