Dawn no longer breaks with the chirping of birds in Lawachara National Park — only with the rustle of leaves falling from dying trees. The cries of monkeys echo through the emptiness where deer once danced. As tourists shout for selfies, the forest quietly bleeds. Lawachara, once a sanctuary of life, now stands as a symbol of nature's silent suffering.

Illegal tree felling, bamboo theft, gas exploration, excessive tourism, and land encroachment have compounded the crisis, forcing animals out of the forest and into nearby localities — often leading to fatal encounters.

According to Swapan Deb Sajal, director of the Wildlife Service Foundation, the forest area in Lawachara has shrunk alarmingly over the past few decades. Along with this, the sources of food and drinking water for wild animals have also decreased. As a result, animals often stray into localities in search of food or habitat and sometimes die on roads or at the hands of humans.

Since 2012, the foundation has rescued 658 wild animals from nearby villages and handed them over to the Forest Department. "In 2024 alone, we rescued 35 wild animals. The previous year, it was 38. Some of these species are rare and endangered," Swapan added.

With forests stripped of bamboo and large trees such as sandalwood, agar, and teak, Lawachara’s wildlife are being forced out — many dying on roads and railway tracks in search of food and shelter. Photos: Mintu Deshwara

Nurul Mohaimin Milton, general secretary of the Bangladesh Paribesh Sangbadik Samitee, Moulvibazar unit, mentioned that growing human encroachment — through lemon orchards, houses, and tourist infrastructure — is reducing the safe habitats for animals. "Vehicles and human noise are making things worse," he said.

Rehabilitation of degraded forest zones and ensuring safe water sources during the dry season are essential. "The government should also support local communities to create alternative livelihoods so that people don't depend on forest resources," he added.

Data from the Forest Department and voluntary group Stand for Our Endangered Wildlife (SEW) show that in 2024, around 350 wild animals that escaped from Lawachara were recovered — 250 alive and 100 dead — from different parts of Kamalganj and Srimangal. The rescued species included deer, monkeys, leopard cats, pythons, owls, hawks, and vultures.

SEW co-founder Sohel Shyam said unregulated tourism is disturbing the forest ecosystem. "Lawachara is a place for wild animals, not for human shouting and selfies. We've seen tourists mimic owl calls when real owls are calling — that disrupts their behaviour. The number of visitors should be limited, and guides must ensure responsible conduct. Fines should be imposed for violations."

Locals echoed similar concerns, saying the increasing number of irresponsible tourists is driving animals deeper into the forest or into nearby villages. They reported frequent monkey raids on homes and markets. "They steal food because they are hungry," said Mamun Ahmed, a Srimangal resident. "They too need to eat — they must be protected."

A dead Gondhogokul (Asian palm civet).

Manjur Ahmed Azad Manna, president of the Kamalganj Biodiversity Protection Committee, said the forest lacks tall trees that once provided shelter for monkeys. "The food crisis now affects all animals in Lawachara. Because of this, all types of animals are going outside in search of food," he said.

Saju Marchiang, publication secretary of the Khasi Social Council, echoed this sentiment. "Barking deer, once a common sight in Lawachara, have become rare. Now you hardly see anything other than monkeys."

He said the forest that existed in Lawachhara a few years ago is no more. There is no chloroform tree in the garden either. The roots of the trees stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time. At that time, large trees of sandalwood, chloroform, agar, teak, and chapalish species were there, but they are gone now. Trees and bamboo are being stolen, and large species such as sandalwood, agar, and teak have almost vanished. Many animals — snakes, monkeys, foxes, even pigs — die in road and railway accidents, he added.

A monkey lies lifeless, hanging from an electric wire.

Shamsul Haque, general secretary of the Lawachhara People's Forum and a former member of the Co-Management Committee (CMC) of Lawachhara National Park, strongly supported the recent ban on vehicle entry, explaining that it was introduced primarily to protect wildlife and restore ecological balance. However, he also criticised the decision-making process, noting that it had been taken hastily and without proper consultation with all stakeholders. A more inclusive discussion, he added, could have led to a balanced solution that benefited both conservation efforts and local communities.

Shamsul also mentioned irregularities in the development of a market inside the forest, which began around 2014. The shops, set up without proper procedures or transparent approval, continued to expand under subsequent CMC leadership. He pointed out that many of these shops are now operated by private traders with connections to local influentials, rather than by members of the Community Patrol Groups (CPGs) who are tasked with protecting the forest. In fact, only one shop is reportedly operated by a CPG member, while women CPGs — despite their crucial role — have been entirely left out.

Hassan Al Razi, a PhD fellow (wildlife research and conservation) at the University of Western Australia, said no such system has been seen anywhere else in Bangladesh. "Higher tourist numbers mean higher revenue, which is viewed very positively in our country, even though it endangers our forests and wildlife.

We need to determine the carrying capacity of our forests to protect them and their wildlife from the pressures of tourism. A policy should be made so that tourists cannot go everywhere. Also, tourist guides should be trained to serve as forest and wildlife conservators," he added.

Abul Kalam, Divisional Forest Officer of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation in Sylhet, said, "Following a ministry meeting on September 14, we received eight directives for the conservation of the Lawachhara forest. One of the key decisions is to make the forest eco-friendly. We are currently working on implementing that."

Mintu Deshwara is a journalist at The Daily Star.

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