A resort named Mati-Ta has been built by cutting into protected hills in Bhatiari, Chattogram, allegedly destroying over five thousand trees and displacing wildlife. The resort, featuring swimming pools, artificial lakes, and multi-story buildings, is owned by Munal Mahbub and Tasnim Mahmud, daughter of former FBCCI president and Awami League-linked businessman Mahbubul Alam. Locals and environmentalists claim that the project has caused severe ecological damage and that authorities have failed to act despite legal cases filed by the Forest Department.
The Forest Department filed a case in 2021 accusing the resort of occupying 40 decimals of protected forest land and cutting 25 mature trees. Although the court accepted the charges, the resort continues to operate. Environmentalists argue that such construction violates environmental protection laws, while local residents say they have lost access to the forest and their livelihoods. The resort’s proximity to the Bangladesh Military Academy has also raised national security concerns.
Resort director Tasnim Mahmud denied all allegations, claiming the land belongs to Noorjahan Group and that a court ruling supports their ownership, though reports indicate the land was occupied before the verdict and cases remain pending.
জমির উদ্দিন, চট্টগ্রাম প্রকাশ : ১২ মে ২০২৬, ০৯: ৪১ এক সময় মেছো বাঘ, হরিণ আর বানরের আনাগোনায় মুখর ছিল চট্টগ্রামের ভাটিয়ারীর পাহাড়। সেই পাহাড়ের বুক চিরে এখন চলছে পর্যটকদের হৈ-হুল্লোড়, সুইমিংপুলে ছলাৎ ছলাৎ শব্দ। পাঁচ হাজারের বেশি গাছ কাটা পড়েছে,
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