<i>Over 400 roadside trees felled for 'safety and beautification'</i>
Over 400 trees on both sides of Mongla-Khulna highway were felled in the last one week triggering protests by locals.Photo: STAR
Over 400 trees on both sides of a seven-kilometre stretch of Mongla-Khulna highway were felled in last one week allegedly on instructions of the Mongla Port Authority. Most of these trees are 30 to 40 years old, said local people while expressing their sharp reaction to the indiscriminate felling of trees. Besides, branches of a large number of trees on both sides of the road from Mongla to Digraj were also felled, they alleged. When asked, Deputy Manager (property) of Mongla Port Authority Hiru Mia said the trees and branches of others on the road from Mongla bus stand to Digraj were felled with permission of the authorities concerned. He said 15 woodcutters were engaged for cutting down the trees on daily payment basis. "We have taken this decision for safety and beautification of Mongla-Khulna highway." Port sources said, the road falls under the jurisdiction of the port authority. Money earned by selling the felled trees and branches of others will be deposited with the accounts department of the port authority, Hiru further said. Chairman of Mongla Upazila Parishad Iddris Ali Ijaradar, when contacted, strongly condemned felling of trees on both sides of the highway from Mongla to Digraj. He said these trees largely contributed to protect life and property of the people in this area during cyclonic storms Sidr and Aila,. Mongla Port Authority Chairman Commodore M Faruk could not be reached over phone despite several attempts for his comment on felling the trees in the name of beautification of the area under the jurisdiction of the port. Sheikh Noor Alam, chief executive of an environmental organisation named Gathon, has demanded formation a high level committee by the government to probe the incident.
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