Five Months Without Pay:Lawachara Forest Workers in Crisis

Forest workers and members of the Community Patrol Group (CPG), engaged by the Co-Management Committee to protect the forests and biodiversity of Lawachara National Park and surrounding forest areas in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar, have not received their salaries and allowances for the past five consecutive months. As a result, they are facing severe financial hardship and struggling to support their families.

The affected workers alleged that their payments have been withheld due to a lack of cooperation from the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and the failure to release the necessary funds. Despite continuing their duties under challenging and often risky conditions, the prolonged non-payment has caused growing frustration and uncertainty among the field-level workers.

According to relevant sources, a total of 40 CPG members, including 30 men and 10 women, are engaged in protecting the forests and biodiversity of Lawachara, Kalachhara and Chautali forest beats under the Moulvibazar Range of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division. They conduct regular patrols at different locations in the forest, both day and night. Each member is entitled to a daily allowance of Tk 300. However, these payments have remained suspended for the past five months.

The CPG members alleged that even after the political changeover on August 5, 2024, their activities and payments continued through the Co-Management Committee. However, they claimed that recently, Divisional Forest Officer Md. Abul Kalam described the existing Co-Management Committee as 'illegal' and stopped releasing funds. Consequently, the field-level workers and patrol members have been directly affected.

Members belonging to the Hindu community said they did not receive any festival allowance or outstanding payments even during Durga Puja, one of their major religious festivals. As a result, they had to observe the festival amid severe financial difficulties.

CPG member Babul Mia said the sudden suspension of payments had forced them to run their households by borrowing money, leaving them in a desperate situation.

Other members, Sunil and Arun Kahar, said they had to celebrate this year's Durga Puja under extremely difficult circumstances due to the lack of payment. They are now deeply concerned about how they will manage their household expenses in the coming days. They urged the higher authorities to intervene urgently and ensure payment of their outstanding dues.

The prolonged delay in payments has made it increasingly difficult for the workers to afford food, their children's education and medical expenses. The situation has also raised concerns about the regular forest patrol activities carried out by these workers, who play an important role in protecting forests and wildlife.

Several attempts were made to contact Md. Abul Kalam, Divisional Forest Officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division, over the phone to obtain his comments. However,no response was received from him.