Crime Desk Report: The government is working to protect the rights of the Garos in the forest. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources said these things in the chief guest speech on the occasion of the celebration of ‘Wangala’, the traditional harvest festival of the Garo community at Banani Vidyaniketan School and College today (08 November).
He said that the forest-dependent communities’ rights to land, right to water, right to travel, right to graze and right to extract forest products will be determined legally. The adviser said that work will be done to resolve the conflict between the forest department and the forest dwellers. Necessary revision of Social Forestry Rules is in progress in Elksha.
He said that the tribal council has started working to establish the rights of the Garos. The district administration has been instructed to mark the disputed boundary of Madhupur forest. Nothing will be done to the exclusion of forest dwellers in local development activities.
The Ministry of Land and Water will work together against sand bandits and stone thieves. He said, Wangala is a special symbol of culture and tradition of Garo community. It increases the power of harmony in our society.
Wangala draws our attention to the relationship between nature and human society. Harvest time is a time to express gratitude to nature. We all should take care of natural resources like Garo to protect the environment. NBR member Fazlul Haque, Additional Secretary (Cultural Heritage) of the Ministry of Culture Nafriza Shaima, writer and researcher Pavel Parth, poet and researcher Parag Richil, Presidency University Registrar Md. Shakir Hossain, director of Caritas Development Institute, Theophile Nokrek, development researcher.
Bapan Mankhin, Banani Vidyaniketan School and College Principal Dr. Moshiur Rahman, The Christian Cooperative Credit Union President Hemonto Karaya and others. The guests enjoyed the traditional dance and music of the Garo community. Later the adviser unveiled the cover of the special magazine published on the occasion of Wangala.
