Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Uneasiness is growing in the Rohingya host communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district, as the influx has had a major impact within the area destabilizing local economy and environment and increase pressure on other resources.
The refugee population now stands at over 8.0 lakh and the number is still growing.
“The influx of Rohingya refugees has already left a major impact within the area and local communities. Refugee movements and settlements are creating irritation, destabilizing local economies and putting pressure on infrastructure,” Nurul Amin, a member of Palong Khali Union Parisad, told The New Nation on Thursday.
He said even the refugees are setting up shelters by randomly cutting down trees and barren hills posing a potential threat to environment.
“The unprecedented Rogingya exodus also pushed up commodity prices in local markets leading the host communities to financial hardship,” Nazrul Amin added.
Nurul Amin further said Bangladesh should not receive more Rohingya refugees, as local communities are now in disarray to receive more refugees.
“Tension is growing in host communities over the mass Rohingya influx. The tension could lead to dispute between the local people and refugees,” Arif Hossain, a social worker in Cox’s Bazar, told The New Nation yesterday.
The newly arrived refugees have cleared about 3,500 acres of land in Cox’s Bazar. Of which about 2,000 acres are forestland in Ukhiya and Teknaf, according to forest officials.
“The refugees were burning about 750,000kg woods as fuel everyday,” Md Ali Kabir, Divisional Forest Officer (South Forest Zone) of Cox’s Bazar told The New Nation.
He said the mass refugee influx contributed to huge ecological and economic stains in the areas as a result of felling trees and barren hills.
“The rampant hill cutting may also trigger hill slides and cause loss of lives,” he said.
Md Ali Kabir further said the mass destruction of forestland and large-scale deforestation has fueled tensions within the host communities, as the forestland was generating their income.
“Refugee influx contributed to demographic, ecological and economic stains in the area. There is the risk that the host communities could become involved in the conflict between refugees and local authorities if refugees repatriation is delayed for years,” a local politician told The New Nation yesterday on condition of anonymity.
He also said that security concerns are also growing within the host communities, as many Islamists groups have intensified their activities within the refugee settlements in Ukhiya and Teknaf.
