Ever since Bengalis began moving into the Chattogram Hill Tracts, the growing population has steadily thinned the region’s native forests. Against this backdrop, Mahfuz Ahmed Russel — a fashion buyer turned conservationist — and a group of friends took an extraordinary step: they purchased a patch of forest and built a sanctuary rich in biodiversity. Now, as they attempt to expand their conservation effort, they face mounting challenges.
In Pittachhara, a village resisting the spread of monoculture plantations, this struggle is especially visible. The right side of the landscape still clings to natural forest, while the left side is dominated by commercial plantations. At the centre of it all stands Russel’s modest home, tucked inside the surviving greenery.
When Russel shared his location via Google Maps, the screen showed virtually nothing. Even after waiting for the weak mobile network to load, the map revealed no roads, houses, or significant structures. The nearest motorable road ended nearly two kilometres away. Yet, once we trekked along a mud path and climbed the surrounding hillocks, we found a place far richer than the blank map suggested—rich not in human development, but in life.
The biodiversity of this land, located in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari, sets it apart. While nearby hills are blanketed by monoculture plantations, this patch of forest thrives with native flora and fauna. Russel and his friends bought these 23 acres specifically for conservation, forming the Pittachhara Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Initiative. Beyond protecting their own forest, they work with nearby villagers to safeguard the scattered remaining fragments—about four square kilometres—encouraging communities to stop hunting and allow wildlife to recover.
Their impact is noticeable: villagers say hunting has decreased. But lack of forest cover remains the biggest threat. As Russel explained, “Even if we stop hunting, where will wildlife go if there is no forest? Last dry season alone, more than 130 acres were cleared for teak and acacia plantations.”
Despite the destruction around it, Pittachhara remains a refuge. Within just two short walks, we encountered a Bengal Slow Loris, multiple squirrel species, three types of snakes, a Pig-tailed Macaque, and numerous birds, including Jungle Fowl. Footprints of wild cats and smaller mammals hinted at the area’s hidden diversity.
According to conservation biologist Sayam U. Chowdhury, Pittachhara’s well-vegetated landscape and active hill stream support around 150 species of resident and migratory birds, including the endemic Cachar Bulbul and the globally Near Threatened Red-breasted Parakeet. The area also shelters globally Endangered Slow Lorises, Vulnerable Pig-tailed Macaques, ten other mammals, and at least twenty species of amphibians and reptiles.
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Pittachhara Forest, the site supports approximately 150 species of resident
The Beginning of Russel’s Journey
Russel’s path to conservation was far from ordinary. Born in Dhaka but raised in nature-rich Patuakhali, he spent his childhood among trees, canals, rivers, insects, and birds—early memories that rooted his love for nature.
After completing his MBA, he worked in the RMG buying sector, earned a degree in Fashion Marketing in the UK, and rose to buying manager. But the corporate lifestyle left him unsatisfied. He donated most of his possessions, travelled across continents, volunteered, and immersed himself in sustainable living—organic gardening, beekeeping, alternative housebuilding, and minimalistic lifestyles. He lived with indigenous groups in the Amazon, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and learned how to live self-sufficiently.
Eventually, he sold his home in Manchester and returned to Bangladesh to be near his ageing mother. City life no longer suited him, so he searched for forested land with childhood friends—and found Pittachhara.
At first, Russel did not intend to become a conservationist. But witnessing unsustainable hunting practices pushed him to intervene. With these forests being privately owned, the Forest Department offered no protection. So Russel took matters into his own hands—visiting homes in the surrounding villages, urging people to stop hunting.
It wasn’t easy. Some villagers suspected him, even believing he was hiding from the law. Over time, however, his consistent efforts—helping with education, livelihood support, and medical needs—earned him trust. Today, hunting has reportedly dropped by at least 50%.
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Dynamics of Small- and Medium-Sized Mammals in Pittachhara Forest
Challenges Ahead
Despite positive progress, deforestation continues. Many locals view forests through an economic lens: land must be cleared for plantations, agriculture, or fuel for brickfields. For example, one villager casually dismissed a native tree as “baje gaach” — a “useless tree.”
Older residents like 70-year-old Sachindra Tripura remember a time when forests were abundant and wildlife plentiful. Sachindra himself was attacked by a bear decades ago. For him, forests are both a threat and a former resource—providing bamboo and hunting opportunities.
This disconnect between ecological value and economic necessity forms the core challenge. Conservation must offer viable livelihood alternatives.
The Pittachhara Initiative plans to establish a small jungle resort and conduct guided tours for eco-tourists. Revenue will be shared with locals to create incentives for preserving native forests rather than replacing them with commercial plantations. Russel is also exploring alternative livelihoods such as mushroom cultivation—options that require minimal forest clearing.
The initiative hopes to advance legal protection as well. “We want to go to the High Court for directives on legally protecting private forest lands,” Russel said, lamenting the current absence of such safeguards.
A Hopeful Future
Although the journey is long and uncertain, Russel remains optimistic. “We will continue our work. More stakeholders will join, sit together, and decide what serves the best interest of all—including the wildlife—and reach a consensus to protect and conserve the wild.”
