Thursday, November 3, 2011

'Tale of Madhupur' - documentary on rights and reality of Mandi community

Tale of Madhupur
http://machizo.com/portfolios/videoproduction/documentary/madhupur
Blossoms of flowers, song of birds, movement of wild animals, natural growing and living together of different species are characters of a forest. The Madhupur Shal forest, one of the biggest forest of Bangladesh, is being destroyed for mono cultural plantation. Along with erosion the soil fertility is declining. The less density of forest is now a threat for wildlife. The monotones vegetation dominated by Eucalyptus, Acacia and robber has been increased dangerously. The forest has become just like a garden. The nature of forest has been fallen. The birds do not sing a song there, flowers cannot grow with total freedom, animal cannot play, as they like. The diversity of species has been lost.

 Since 1982 the deforestation of Madhupur has been continuing by the name of social forestry movement with the help of forest department.  Research finds that the forest is fading away very fast; however, social forestry has destroyed bio-diversity in Madhupur. The deforestation has crippled the livelihood of Mandi and Kuch community.

"Clean Jungle" slogan and Madhupur National Park establishment encouraged converting the forest into agriculture land. Also cultivation of banana, pineapple in place of Shal even hybrid cultivation is capturing the original forestland.  A decade ago the size of the forest was 45,000 but now the area has reduced more than 60%. The traditional Shal and 300 species of birds, 60 species of medicinal plant, vegetables, herbs and creepers have already missed away. A large variety of wildlife, including tigers, black bears and peafowls, has disappeared. The main reasons of this great loss are deforestation and monoculture plantation around seven districts of Barian tracts. Along with the forest Mandi and Kuch culture is disappearing.

Immediate steps should be taken to conserve natural resources of Madhupur; otherwise we will be unable to find this heredity and resources.

No comments: