Age-old giant trees cause concern
This 150-year-old kath badam tree fell to the ground in front of Nilphamari deputy commissioner's office in a mild storm six months ago as main root of the giant tree had already rotten. STAR file PHOTO
Four people were killed and several others injured in last three years as dried up, rotten or worm-eaten giant branches of over century old trees in Nilphamari municipality fell on them. Betel leaf and nut trader Alam of Masterpara area of the municipally, was killed as a large worm-eaten branch of a banyan tree fell on him on the Shib Mondir premises on the day of Bijoya Nabomi during Durga Puja in October last year. Three other people were killed and more than 20 were injured as dried up or worm-infested big branches of trees fell on them in last three years. The accidents occurred near old municipality building, Bata intersection, the road in front of the district collectorate building and near Shib Mandir. Six months ago, a 150-feet tall giant kath badam (nut) tree near the collectorate building was uprooted in a mild storm and fell on the building, causing much damage to it. It was found that the century old tree had no main root as it was rotten long ago and the tree was standing only with the help of its hair like fine fibrous roots. When the sub divisional town of Nilphamari was set up during the British rule in 1870, officials planted hundreds of trees of various species including rain trees, banyan trees, pakur tree, kath badam trees, flame trees, teak trees on both sides of the main road. As the trees grew up, they spread branches, adding to the beauty of the sub-divisional town and providing shades to the people. Decades later, many of those trees were cut down for expanding roads or construction of buildings while some others died naturally. But about 40 of the large trees are still standing, making them visible from several miles away. Stems and branches of many of those old trees have become hollow or rotten as those are eaten by worms and rainwater deposit in their niches. Pedestrians passing under those trees often walk fast to avoid danger. General secretary of New Market Employees League Md Bablu said on behalf of the businessmen and employees of the market a petition was handed over to the municipality chairman to cut down the old tree near the market or at least remove its risky branches. The chairman realised the matter but some people obstructed cutting down the tree or its branches, Bablu said. "Major accidents may occur any time if those risky trees are not cut down immediately. But some people cause difficulty in this matter, saying that those trees are the heritage of the locality and essential to keep the area green," said Sreedam Das, an elderly political leader and social worker in the municipality. Admitting casualties due to fall of dried up or worm eaten branches of big trees, Nilphamari municipality Chairman Dewan Kamal Ahmed said, "The risky trees should be identified and felled immediately for safety of the townspeople. But my office has very little to do in this regard as zila parishad (district council) owns all the trees in the municipality area. Quick steps should be taken to mark and cut down the risky trees with the help of forest department."
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