"We gave shelter to them (Rohingyas) from humanitarian grounds but now they’ve become a serious threat for our economy and ecological biodiversity. Myanmar have to take back them ensuring their safety and livelihood," she said.
Matia Chowdhury was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled ‘Rohingya People: Bangladesh in Multiple Crisis’ held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the Dhaka University campus.
The Forest and Environment Subcommittee of ruling Awami League organised the seminar.
The ruling party leader warned that no game over the Rohingya issue by any group, country or nation would be tolerated.
AL Advisory Council Member and Forest and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Prof Dr Khondkar Bazlul Haque presided over the function while Architect Iqbal Habib presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
In his keynote paper, Iqbal Habib said, “The influx of Rohingya currently causes and will continue to cause a critical impact on forest land in Teknaf and Ukhiya ranges. This is an adverse impact high in magnitude on large geographical areas which will be irreversible if not properly mitigated."
Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur rahman, senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and environmentalist Prof Nazrul Islam and security analyst Major General (retd) Mohammad Ali Shikder were present.