Contractors and a segment of officials of the Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division are facing allegations of embezzling crores of Taka using the equipment procurement process under Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods (SUFAL) Project.
A recent report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED), operating the planning ministry, makes the same observation, stating that due to corruption of the forest division officials, nursery and gardening equipment did not reach the field level.
SUFAL employs a comprehensive approach to scale up action and address the challenges to, among other things, increase the cover, improve quality and management of natural forests and biodiversity and coastal “green belt” through collaboration with communities.
There are allegations that Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division Forest Officer (DFO) Md Anwar Hossain Sarker is also involved in graft.
The Business Post had reached out to Anwar for comments on the matter, but he declined and recommended contacting the Cox's Bazar Sadar range officer. At one point, he further suggested submitting an application under the Right to Information Act.
Insiders say Tk 17.19 lakhs was allocated through e-tender in order to buy nursery and gardening material and equipment under the “SUFAL” project between FY20 and FY23 in Cox's Bazar North Forest Division.
Tk 3.80 crore in FY20, Tk 3.74 crore in FY21 Tk 5.28 crore in FY22, and Tk 4.36 crore in FY23 have been allocated through e-tender for the project. The total amount is Tk 17.19 crore.
Under regulations, contractors are supposed to supply Materials and equipment such as seeds, bamboo sticks, dung, temporary shed materials, and chemical fertilizers for creating nurseries and gardens in Fansiakhali range, Bagkhali range, Phulchari range, Meherghona range, Jowarianala range, Eidgaon range and Eidgarh range.
However, an official of the forest department on condition of anonymity said, “Those material and equipment were supplied on paper only, and only a handful of goods were actually supplied by the contractor.”
A range and several bit officials claimed that most of the project allocation was embezzled by contractor and the DFO without supplying the rest of the goods.
The laborers and majhis working under the Forest Division master rule said they did not get the loamy soil from the beat officers, range officers and contractors. They started the nursery by collecting soil from around the nursery site.
They have cut sticks and bamboos from the forest and bought them from the market for nursery and garden. Decomposing cow dung has been collected free of charge from various people living in the forest and made nurseries.
The laborers and majhis also did not get chemical fertilisers for garden maintenance. They have not even received pesticides for pest control. They did not get sungrass and various other equipment for growing seedlings. The officials only provided them with thin rope and polybags.
The workers further claimed that they have been told by forest division officials not to speak of this issue.
On a spot visit to the area, The Business Post found that most of the gardens under SUFAL project are on paper only, and there are just sign boards there.
The existence of gardens was found in some places, but they show lack of care and maintenance. Moreover, many of the seedlings that were planted, have died in the first year.
Insiders say 40 per cent of seedlings died in the first year. Compost was supposed to be applied in the second year but it was not done. So, 20 per cent – 40 per cent of the seedlings died in the second year.
Director of ‘SUFAL’ Project Gobinda Roy said, “We will look into these allegations. I will ask the DFO to contact you. He will answer all of your questions.”
Chief Forest Conservator Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury said, “All goods under the tender should be delivered to the bit and range office mentioned in the work order. There is no opportunity to procure goods by paying cash to any official.
“If this happens, strict action will be taken after investigation.”
