DHAKA: In the forest of southeastern Bangladesh, an all-women squad has been braving scorching heat and monsoon rains to ward off poachers and safeguard the fragile ecosystem of the country’s coast.
Consisting of 28 members, the Women’s Forest Patrol Team from Kerontoli village in Cox’s Bazar was launched in 2006 with the support of the Bangladesh Forest Department, USAID and non-governmental organization Nishirgo Network.
It was not easy in the beginning to form the group and encourage women to take part, but eventually, one of the village’s residents, Khurshida Begum, managed to assemble the team against the odds and initial prejudices.
She was only 16 at the time and has been leading the group ever since.
“As a child, I felt very sad watching people cut down trees for firewood or hunt wild animals. They didn’t understand the importance of protecting nature. Even the forest department’s vigilance wasn’t strong enough,” Begum told Arab News.
