Online Desk  :  Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said the government is committed to securing the rights of the Garo people in forest areas. The government will take all legal measures to safeguard the rights of the forest-dependent communities to land, water and forest resources, she said. The environment adviser made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at the Wangala Festival, held at Banani Bidyaniketan School and College on Friday.

Rizwana said the government is working to resolve conflicts between forest communities and the forest department with necessary amendments to social forestation regulations. The indigenous council has started working to establish the rights of the Garo people, she said, adding that district administration has been asked to demarcate the boundaries of Madhupur Forest. Forest dwellers will be included in local development initiatives, Rizwana said, adding that the ministries of land and water resources would collaborate to prevent illegal extraction of sand and stone. Public participation is essential for effective forest conservation, she added. About the Garo Festival, the environment adviser said Wangala is a unique symbol of the Garo community’s cultural heritage. The festival highlights the bond between nature and human society, celebrating the harvest as a moment of gratitude to nature, she added.