Beza's counterargument and our response

Beza's counterargument and our response

In a revelation that challenges the denials of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), an investigative report has uncovered evidence of substantial deforestation in the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai and Feni.

Key points supporting this are:

• Deforestation data from forest officials obtained via Right to Information (RTI) revealed that a 22-kilometer greenbelt from Sitakunda to Feni, crucial for coastal protection, was severely affected. This greenbelt includes reserved forest areas that were important environmentally but were cleared to make way for the NSEZ[1].
• The documents disclosed that about 10% of Chattogram’s total reserved forest and 50% of Mirsarai Upazila’s forest cover have been lost. The forest department strongly opposed these actions, warning that such deforestation would harm biodiversity and coastal resilience[1].
• Official figures show the NSEZ covers about 33,805 acres spread across Sitakunda, Mirsarai, and Sonagazi (in Feni). The figure of 22,335 acres of deforested reserved forest appears to refer to a portion within this larger zone that has been cleared, suggesting a sizeable share of the reserved forest area has been converted for economic zone use[2][3].
• The project had high-level government backing and was implemented with limited public disclosure, which has raised concerns about legality and environmental oversight[3].

In response to these allegations, Beza denies occupying 22,335 acres of reserved forest in Mirsarai and Feni, stating that only 11,000 acres of non-forested land were allocated[4]. However, the Forest Department has confirmed that 18,350 acres of forest have already been cleared for the NSEZ project, resulting in the removal of 5.5 crore (55 million) trees[5].

Beza has also highlighted its efforts to ensure a net-positive environmental footprint through restoring ecosystems, reducing emissions through green industrial practices, and expanding carbon sinks through afforestation[6]. As part of this initiative, Beza has already planted 40 lakh trees[7].

However, the investigative report "Factories rise as forests fall: Mirsarai's troubling trade-off", published on 5 August, is based on evidence that contradicts Beza’s claims about the land allocation and environmental impact of the NSEZ project[8]. The report details the biodiversity loss, including the displacement of 5,000 deer and other species, which is supported by scientific studies, satellite imagery, and field visits[9].

Beza issued a rejoinder to the report, calling it "misleading" and "exaggerated". The authority dismissed the claim of massive biodiversity loss, stating there is no scientific evidence or independent ecological study to support it[10]. However, the report stands by its findings, presenting a detailed account of the environmental impact of the NSEZ project.

All projects undergo proper environmental clearance from relevant agencies and the World Bank, with related reports and information publicly available on Beza’s website[11]. Beza has also rejected allegations that the project bypassed environmental safeguards or kept information from journalists and the public strictly secret, describing such claims as an "embroidered statement".

References:

1. The Daily Star
2. The Financial Express
3. The Business Standard
4. The Financial Express
5. The Daily Star
6. Beza's website
7. The Financial Express
8. The Daily Star
9. The Daily Star
10. The Financial Express
11. Beza's website
12. The investigative report "Factories rise as forests fall: Mirsarai's troubling trade-off" significantly questions the claims made by Beza, suggesting that the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) project in Mirsarai and Feni may have a detrimental impact on the environment.
13. The evidence presented in the report includes scientific studies, satellite imagery, and field visits, which support claims that biodiversity loss, such as the displacement of thousands of deer and other species, has occurred as a result of deforestation associated with the NSEZ project.
14. Concerns have been raised that the NSEZ project, with high-level government backing and limited public disclosure, may not have been properly evaluating its environmental impact, potentially neglecting the well-being of the environment and wildlife.

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