40 mahogany trees felled

At least 40 valuable mahogany trees were cut down illegally on the premises of Amlahar Degree College in Sadar upazila of Panchagarh in the last few days.

Local people said Principal Mobarak Ali arranged cutting down the trees of the college at night in the last few days to sell them to wood traders.

This correspondent on Friday saw a good number of logs of matured mahogany trees on the college ground. The people who cut down the trees also felled two trees in front of the quarters of the sub-assistant agriculture officer.

 When asked, Principal Mobarak said the trees were felled for making furniture for the college, locals said on condition of anonymity.

College managing committee members Abdus Sattar and Hasinur Rahman said the principal took permission from the deputy commissioner (DC) about one and a half years ago for cutting down several trees, saying it was necessary for construction of a building.

Since then, the principal cut down trees in three phases, mentioning the permission, and sold them and embezzled the money, they said. 

Magura Union Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Tapan Kumar Sharma said he had submitted a complaint to the upazila agriculture officer against Principal Mobarak as he cut down trees within their quarters. 

Principal Mobarak said he had felled the trees to make furniture for the college after taking permission from the DC, but could not show any document to support his claim.

DC Amal Krisna Mandal said he didn't give such permission to anybody within a year, adding that he would look into the matter.