In Sandwip, Chattogram, BNP’s Moshapur Union General Secretary Idris Alam has been accused of illegally clearing large portions of coastal forest in the Mogdhara area to occupy government land. Locals allege that Idris and his followers have been cutting mangrove trees at night for weeks and smuggling the timber to nearby regions, including Hatiya and Subarnachar. The deforestation has reportedly endangered the island’s main coastal embankment, increasing the risk of river erosion and environmental degradation. Despite repeated complaints, the forest department and local administration have allegedly remained inactive. Idris claims ownership of the land but has failed to produce legal documents. Forest officials deny his claims, stating that cutting trees without permission violates the Forest Act of 1927 and the Environmental Conservation Act of 1995. The Upazila administration has announced an investigation, warning of legal action if the allegations are proven. The destroyed forest was part of a coastal greenbelt project established after the 1991 cyclone to protect the shoreline.