A horrifying picture of environmental destruction through illegal cutting of wood and production of coal has come to light in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna. Despite deforestation, air pollution due to toxic smoke and a serious threat to public health, no effective initiative is seen from the concerned administration. Rather, this environmentally destructive activity has been going on for years without any hindrance under the control of an influential and organized syndicate.
Investigation revealed that numerous illegal coal furnaces (golas) have been set up in the Chandkhali Bazar area adjacent to the main road of Paikgachha-Koira upazila. Hundreds of tons of wood are being burned in these furnaces every day to produce coal, most of which are operated without government approval and environmental clearance.
Local sources say that trees in forest areas and social forestry are cut down in the dark of night to collect wood. Since this illegal business is very profitable, some influential people in the area have 'managed' everything and got involved in it. There has been no visible investigation by the Forest Department or the Department of Environment into where the huge amount of wood is coming from.
It has been seen on the ground that the surrounding areas are often covered in thick black smoke emitted from coal-fired furnaces. This is disrupting traffic on the roads, and pedestrians are suffering from eye irritation and breathing problems. Locals complain that for a long time, respiratory diseases in children and the elderly have increased at an alarming rate due to the effect of this toxic smoke.
According to environmentalists, if this indiscriminate burning of wood continues, the risk of biodiversity destruction, deforestation and climate change will intensify. As a result, the risk of drought, floods and tidal waves will increase manifold in the future. Thousands of tons of wood are being burned every year due to the year-round activities, which is a serious threat to natural and social forestry.
Sources say that in September 2022, the Khulna Divisional Environment Department conducted a drive and demolished only 5 out of 69 furnaces. Although the remaining furnaces were ordered to be closed, it was not implemented even after three years. Instead, after the drive, the operations were temporarily stopped and then restarted in full swing. Currently, the number of these furnaces has increased to about 200.
A public representative who did not want to be named said that there is a strong association of coal owners. They 'manage' various circles by regularly collecting donations from their own funds. As a result, no one dares to take action against this syndicate.
Paikgachha Senior Judicial Magistrate Court lawyer and human rights activist FMA Razzak said, "After publishing the news, the liability is settled by imposing a temporary fine. But if illegal wood burning is not stopped permanently, environmental disaster is inevitable."
Chandkhali UP Acting Chairman Md. Even though Abdullah Sardar has assured to take action if he receives complaints, the question remains in the public mind - is this environmentally destructive activity of an organized syndicate being carried out under the umbrella of some invisible force?
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