Staff Reporter:
Environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Friday said the interim government has initiated the process of amending social forest regulations for ensuring the rights of Garo people and other forest-reliant indigenous communities.
In her speech at a Wangala celebration event in Dhaka, she revealed that a legislative revision is underway to safeguard the Garo community’s land rights, water rights, movement rights and their ability to extract forest resources.
The process would also seek to resolve the conflict between forest-reliant communities and the state-run Forest Deparment.
The event was held at Banani Bidyaniketan School and College in the capital.
Wangala, a significant cultural event for the Garo people, symbolises the deep connection between nature and human society, celebrating the harvest season with gratitude toward nature. Rizwana urged all to protect the environment and preserve natural resources, as the Garo community has been doing for a long time.
She highlighted that the Indigenous Council has begun working to secure the rights of the Garo people, with local authorities directed to demarcate disputed land boundaries in the Modhupur Forest.
Furthermore, the adviser noted that local development initiatives would now include forest residents to ensure they are not left behind. The Ministries of Land and Water Resources will work together to tackle illegal sand and stone extraction, and public participation is vital for successful forest conservation.
The event also featured traditional Garo dance and music.
At that time, the adviser unveiled a special magazine published in honour of the Wangala festival, which was attended by representatives from local and international organizations, cultural activists, students, and various members of the Garo community.
Wangala continues to play a crucial role in promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Garo people.
