Environmental Activists Unite: Human Chain in Chattogram Demands Protection of Natural Forests and Elephant Corridors

In a powerful display of unity and determination, environmental activists, academics, researchers, and concerned citizens formed a human chain in front of the Chattogram Press Club on June 29, 2026, to demand the cancellation of planned road construction projects through natural forests and elephant corridors in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

The demonstration, part of a nationwide protest, highlighted the critical need to protect the region's biodiversity and the habitats of endangered Asian elephants. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), has proposed the construction of roads through the Madhushia Garjan Forest in Chakaria and the Boitoroni Reserved Forest in Satkania, sparking widespread concern among environmentalists and local communities.

The proposed road projects have been met with fierce opposition, with critics arguing that they would not only destroy natural habitats but also violate forest conservation laws. A nearly five-kilometer paved road has been proposed through the Khutakhali-Medhakachhapia elephant corridor, identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), threatening the very existence of these majestic creatures.

Speakers at the human chain event emphasized the need for environmentally sustainable development and urged the government to explore alternative road alignments that do not involve the destruction of natural forests. They also placed five key demands, including the scrapping of the road project through Madhushia Garjan Forest, providing legal protection to elephant corridors, conducting an independent environmental impact assessment, selecting alternative road routes, and ensuring the conservation of the remaining natural forests across the Chattogram region.

The issue of road construction through natural forests and elephant corridors is not unique to Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. It is a pressing concern that affects many parts of the world, where the push for infrastructure development often comes at the cost of environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. The case of the Madhushia Garjan Forest and the Boitoroni Reserved Forest serves as a stark reminder of the need for balanced development that prioritizes both human needs and environmental protection.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, deforestation, and wildlife conservation, the actions of environmental activists in Chattogram and beyond serve as a beacon of hope. Their determination to protect natural forests and elephant corridors is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of holding governments and institutions accountable for their actions.

In the face of such pressing environmental concerns, it is imperative that governments, international organizations, and local communities come together to find sustainable solutions that prioritize both human development and environmental protection. The cancellation of the proposed road projects through natural forests and elephant corridors in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar would be a significant step in the right direction, sending a strong message about the importance of preserving our planet's precious natural resources for future generations.