Dhaka, Dec. 8 -- AS settlers continue clearing forest areas for fruit cultivation and fish farming, the biodiversity in Moulvibazar's Lathitila has been facing a serious threat. According to newspaper reports, the vegetation at 5631.4 acres of land covered with hillocks is under continuous danger. Though only 30 landless families were allowed to settle inside the forest to take care the reserve forest, the number of families increased to 500 in span of about 60 years. A section of people cut off the roots of forest trees, making them unable to take nutrients from soil. As the trees gradually die, various fruit trees are planted there to occupy the land.
As the Forest Department files case if the live trees are felled directly, the settlers...