B.Mirror Desk: Staff Reporter: Some people have planned to build an institution called “Agro Tourism and Resort” on 17 acres of forest land in Kamalpur, Choto Kaliakoir area of ​​Savar. Although their campaign seems like an attractive and environmentally friendly investment from the outside, there are serious legal and environmental risks deep down. An analysis of the overall information shows that this project is being built in violation of environmental laws and government land policies for commercial purposes, which may cause major financial losses to investors in the future. Below are the main negative and risky aspects of the project: 1. Legality of Forest Department Land Lease and Risk of Mass Evictions Violation of Forest Law: According to the Constitution of Bangladesh and the existing Forest Law, it is completely illegal to use government forest land or land included in sub-bits for commercial resorts, tourism or private projects. Unclear terms of contract: Forest department land is usually given on temporary contracts for social forestry or specific environmental purposes. There, the claim of using the land in the name of a member or a private owner for commercial resorts or animal husbandry will not stand up to legal review. The government can cancel this lease at any time and re-occupy the land, which will put the entire investment in the project at risk. 2. Conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural sectors and environmental damage. The plan to buy private agricultural land next to it for the construction of resorts and cottages is in direct violation of the country’s “Agricultural Land Protection Act”. Local food production and natural balance are being destroyed by building concrete structures on fertile agricultural land. Eco-system disaster: The area adjacent to Birulia and Bon Bit in Savar is known for its natural lakes, forests and agricultural land. The daily influx of hundreds of tourists, waste disposal and noise pollution will seriously threaten local biodiversity, animals and forests. 3. Lack of transparency: Although it is said that investment will be taken in stages by selling only 20 shares, there is no clear and legal framework for the total budget of the project, dividend distribution method or land transfer. Fear of fraud by investors: It is not possible to give any ownership of the leased forest land to investors. As a result, if the project is closed due to any legal complications, the general shareholders will not get their money back. Running such a large resort based on only a small amount of purchased agricultural land is an extremely short-sighted and risky business model. 4. Misleading messages and fake tourism: The report says that local farmers will benefit through tourism. But in reality, if artificial resorts are built by encroaching on forests and agricultural land, local farmers are separated from their main livelihood and land. Loss of agriculture: The noise of modern resorts and the influx of tourists will disrupt normal farming and the natural environment of the local village will be destroyed forever. In conclusion, this agro-tourism project in Kamalpur, next to the Savar forest belt, is a legally complex and anti-environmental initiative. Operating a resort on forest land can face government raids at any time. Buying shares or investing in this project without adequate legal approvals, environmental impact assessment (EIA) clearances and clear financial guarantees is very risky.