GAZIPUR, April 26, 2025 (BSS) - The Forest Department today conducted an eviction drive to demolish illegal structures in forest areas of Telihati under Sreepur upazila of the district.

Dhaka Forest Department with the assistance of a joint force and upazila administration began the eviction drive at 8.30 am in presence of Sreepur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Barrister Sajib Ahmed and Sreepur Range Officer Mokhlesur Rahman.

Senior officials of the Dhaka Forest Department and other officials and employees of various offices were present at the time.

Forest Department sources said that illegal encroachers in Taltoli and Murgir Bazar areas of Telihati under Sreepur range have been notified by giving notices and miking several times to move out.

But they did not remove their structures. When the eviction drive started this morning, they tried to obstruct the eviction work.

Later, the joint force members and forest department officials removed them and demolished more than fifty houses, said Sreepur Range Officer Mokhlesur Rahman.

There are allegations of encroachment of forest land and cutting of trees in this area, he said.

If anyone again establishes illegal structures in the forest area, legal action will be taken against them and regular drives will be conducted to restore the forest land, he added.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Barrister Sajib Ahmed said that there is no alternative to afforestation by all to protect the forest land to maintain the balance of the environment.

Everyone must come forward to conserve the forest. Such drives will be conducted regularly to save the forest from illegal encroachment, the UNO said.