100 roadside trees illegally felled in Lalmonirhat

Over a hundred trees beside different roads, especially Durakuti- Chaparhat road, have been felled 'illegally' in Chalbala union under Kaliganj upazila of the district for over a week. 

The illegal tree felling is still going on but steps are yet to be taken against the culprits due to unknown reason, alleged locals.

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Some unscrupulous officials of local union parishad, office of the upazila nirbahi officer and district council are allegedly involved in this connection, they said. 

Some labourers, who are engaged in felling trees on Durakuti- Chaparhat road at Chalbala village, said they were hired by one Rashedunnabi Mukul for felling the roadside trees. 

Mukul said he got a bid for felling 121 roadside trees recently, they added.

Rashidul Islam, a resident of Chalbala village, said they dare not protest against felling of the roadside trees in fear of harassment as some local influential people are directly involved in this connection. 

Contacted, Mukul declined to talk on the issue.

Mizanur Rahman, chairman of Chalabala Union Parishad, said121 roadside trees were felled by the bidder legally. 

Shafiqul Islam, a staff of Lalmonirhat District Council, said no tender for felling roadside trees was called in the last five months. 

However, Yunus Ali, acting head assistant of the District Council, said a bid for felling 121 roadside trees in the union was called four months back.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahinur Alam said he was unaware about the incident as he recently joined his workplace. 

Punitive action would be taken against those responsible for the offence after investigating the incident, said the UNO.