File photo of Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar Syed Zakir Hossain/Dhaka TribuneOf the total 1,502 hectares of forests, about 793 hectares have been encroachedThe Rohingya influx has had a critical impact on forest land in Cox's Bazar as thousands of hectares have been destroyed to make temporary shelters for the Rohingyas and to provide them with cooking fuel. Some 4,300 acres of hills and forests were cut down in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox's Bazar, says a new report of the United Nations (UN). Of the total 1,502 hectares of forests, about 793 hectares have been encroached. Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director of UNDP Bangladesh, andShoko Ishikawa of UN Women, Bangladesh, were present, among others. The report highlighted the critical impacts of one of the world's biggest influx of refugees, above 700,000 Rohingyas, on the environment of Cox's Bazar.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 18, 2018 14:37 UTC