Expense for Rohingyas rising: Reserved forest used up, bio diversity in jeopardy

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Shafiqul Islam
Published : 08:00, Jun 22, 2018 | Updated : 08:00, Jun 22, 2018

Expense for Rohingyas risingThe expenditure to look after the Rohingyas, currently residing in Bangladesh, has risen. Expenses have soared for building infrastructure, maintenance of ecological balance and, for disciplined administration of the crisis.
Bangladesh is under severe financial strain. A report on the Rohingyas state that around 1 lakh 65 thousand shelters were constructed and, as a result, five thousand acres of reserved forest had to be cut off.
Biodiversity, costing to the amount of Tk 397 crore 18 lakh 37 thousand, was adversely affected.
Government is repeatedly saying that Bangladesh is not facing any expense since different donors and UN organisations are providing aid.
This aid is not stored within government controlled relief depots. Special warehouses have been established in Cox’s Bazaar under the supervision of district administration.
The aid is being distributed by the army; meanwhile, Finance ministry sources say that in the proposed budget, Tk 400 crore has been allocated for the Rohungya for the next year.
ECNEC has already approved the plan to build permanent homes for the Rohingya in Bhashantek. Noakhali. Under this project, 120 villages, 1440 barracks and 120 shelter zones will be constructed at a cost of Tk. 2,323 crore, provided solely from the Bangladesh government’s fund.
A UN report says that the average per capital income of a Bangladeshi is $ 700 and while there is persistent expenditure for the Rohingyas, there isn’t any legal way for them to earn. Therefore, the per year cost Bangladesh will face to look after ten lakh Rohingyas is $ 60 crore at the least.
This is a great impediment in keeping the economy on the move, the report added.
Dr. A. B Mirza Azizul Islam, says: “expenses will soar to ensure overall security, regular food and secure habitation.”
How much foreign aid will come is the issue; if we don’t get it, then Bangladesh has to provide the support, he added.
He also underlined that due to the presence of Rohingyas, tourism will suffer.
“If tourists are not guaranteed pollution free environment, their number will decline.”
Eventually the overall economy will suffer, he warned.
Bangladesh development research body, BIDS, feels Bangladesh will face financial pressure.
To look after the Rohingya, extra police, army and BGB have been deployed and the cost is paid from the state budget, said BIDS senior researcher, Dr Naznin Ahmed.
UN report says of the four thousand acres that have been used to accommodate Rohingyas, lies reserved areas.
It’s believed that in establishing camps for Rohingyas, the written opposition of the forest department was ignored.
Executive director for Policy Research Institute, Dr. Ahsan Monsur, says: “to safeguard the health of the Rohingyas, manpower will be deployed which will increase administrative expenses.”
The country is facing and added expense of $ 1000 crore a year, said economist Dr. Muhammad Mahbub Ali.
Chittagong divisional commissioner, Abdul Manna, says, “due to the presence of Rohingyas, bio-diversity, ecology, law and order, price index of essentials, education and health of the country is facing jeopardy.”
A vast amount of money will be needed to offset the adverse impact, he cautioned.
In Ukhia and Teknaf, a total of 4851 acres have been allotted for the Rohingyas.
Dr. A H. M. Raihan Sarkar of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Science of Chittagong University, said: “every day, the Rohingyas are burning 500 tonnes of wood to cook, which is collected from the reserved forest.”
Wood and bamboo are also collected from the local forest; the wild elephants face survival risk too.
At a recently held parliamentary meeting on environment and forest preservation is was claimed that, so far, forest assets worth Tk. 150 crore has been used.
To look at the overall cost, the figure may stand above Tk. 10 thousand crore, the meeting concluded.

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