Deer endangered in Nijhum Dwip

Deer are endangered in the Nijum Dwip under isolated Hatiya upazila of Noakhali.
Deforestation, poaching, food problems, lack of drinking water, menace of mad dogs, unrestricted human movement, animal disease, dearth of shade and safe shelter have exposed scores of deer to hazards, sources said. In 1978, only four pairs of spotted deer (Chitra Harin) were freed in the forest and now the population of deer is about 6,000. In recent days, some the dishonest people and muscleman have been looting the forest trees, it is alleged.

Besides, everyday fishermen and wood cutters are felling hundreds of trees like Geoa, Keora and Golpata that provided these deer with shelter. Nijum Dwip, widely known as ‘Sea Daughter’, has an excellent scenic beauty of nature, covering 63 square kilometer area. The island is 38 kilometer away from Hatiya upazila sadar in the south and about 60 kilometer away from the district headquarters.
Once, there were a lot of trees and plants, flora and fauna in its deep forest. It was a safe shelter for the eye caching flock of spotted deer. They used to move to and fro and grazed dauntlessly. People visiting Nijum Dwip at first would like to enjoy the movement and sports of the deer. The tourists would love them within a few minutes.
But at present the environment for these quiet animal does not exist like the past. Numerous problems have been increasing in this char area which are not conducive to their safe living.
According to sources, in collaboration with a section of dishonest officers and caretakers of the forest, many unscrupulous people of Bandar Tila, Char Osman, Char Awoeladi, Char Alim, Mahir Char and Char Isamati have been cutting down trees with a view to constructing homes. As a result, the forest has been losing its capacity to provide a favourable atmosphere for the dwelling of deer and their subsistence.
On the other hand, due to arid weather and sweltering heat the deer have been suffering from scarcity of shade and water and passing through a miserable condition. Besides, being chased by a lot of mad dogs and deer eaters they jump into the rivers and canals and embrace miserable death sinking in water.
Some officials of the forest department gave away some areas of the forest land to the people in exchange for four to five thousand Tk each acre, it is alleged. Sources said that once there was a total of 4,170 acres of forest land at Nijum Dwip. But at present the area of the forest has shrunk to only 1,350 acres only.
Movement of fishermen, honey collectors, woodcutters, hunters and arching in the forest have destroyed the living environment of the deer to a great extent. The deer go out of the forest in fear of death. On an average, one or two deer are caught everyday by the people of the villages at Jahamara, Swandip and Burir Char unions. They slaughter them to eat. Forest officials seem to be indifferent in this regard.
On the other hand, a huge number of wild deer have been dying under Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district due to scorching heat and for want of sweet water and food. Scores of deer from Nijum Dwip of Hatiya jump into the river Meghna to quench their thirst and to get respite from the sizzling heat.
Under such a condition some deer have been rushing to the locality in search of water and food. Immediate steps are needed to save the deer from such a hazard, otherwise Nijum Dwip forest may be bereft of deer, it is apprehended.
And most of the deer who come to locality are being chased by men and dogs and killed without mercy. It is alleged that some people are slaughtering deer for meat. Sources said, there is no grass in the forest areas so that the deer can live on. Leaves of big and tall trees are out of reach of the deer. Moreover, there is no sweet water for the deer to drink.
Nalchera Forest Range Officer, M. Fakir Uddin, told that four deer came to the locality from Nalchera Range and forest employees rescued those on February 4. Later, they freed them to forest after treatment. He also informed that ‘Sidr’ in 2009, destroyed many forest reserves.
Divisional Forest Officer of Noakhali, Md Sha-E-Alam, denied the allegations and told  that nearly 35,000 to 40,000 deer are living in the forest. In a reply to another question, the officer said, four or five ponds are badly needed as early as possible for sweet drinking water.