Dhaka: Indigenous Catholic communities in central Bangladesh have raised strong protests against a government project in the Madhupur forest, saying it could force them out of their ancestral land and destroy their way of life.
The project aims to expand an artificial lake and develop an eco tourism park inside the forest. Government officials say the plan is meant to address water shortages and support wildlife such as deer, monkeys and birds, especially during the dry season.
But members of the Garo and Koch Indigenous communities say the project is not about conservation. They believe it is a plan that could lead to their eviction from land where their families have lived for generations.
Local residents say the forest is not only their home but also their main source of livelihood. They depend on it for farming, food, and traditional medicine. Losing access to the forest would mean losing their culture and identity.
Catholic leaders have also expressed concern and support for the communities. They warn that the project could lead to injustice and displacement, especially since many of the country’s Catholics belong to Indigenous groups.
Tensions have grown as work on the lake expansion has already begun. Community leaders have warned of stronger protests if the government does not respond to their concerns. Some have set deadlines for action, calling for the project to be stopped.
This is not the first time such a conflict has taken place in Madhupur. A similar project was proposed more than two decades ago and led to protests and violence in 2004. The plan was later paused but has now been revived.
Activists and human rights groups say the issue reflects a wider problem in Bangladesh, where Indigenous people often face land loss in the name of development or conservation. They also point to a lack of proper consultation with local communities before such projects are approved.
For the people living in Madhupur forest, the struggle is about more than land. It is about protecting their homes, their rights, and their future.