Illegal loggers denuding RU campus of trees
Remains of a recently fallen mahogany tree at the garden of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall of Rajshahi University bear testimony to the stealing of valuable trees from the campus. Photo: STAR
The green campus of Rajshahi University (RU) is facing a grave threat as illegal loggers are chopping down trees. The sounds of felling trees are often heard from the residential halls at night. Even smaller trees and saplings from different gardens which are too young to be used as timber are not spared. At least seven tall mahogany trees were chopped by the illegal loggers from a garden of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall recently, said some students. Peeled skins of trees locally known as ashok, horitoki, horifol and other medicinal plants are a common scene. Trees without branches and leaves are often found. Some species of the medicinal plants ultimately die or their growth is hampered. Around 10,000 trees of about 600 species on the campus charm visitors. There are also a number of medicinal plants in the university botanical garden. Cashew nut, rubber, coffee tree, pine, beet and a number of trees locally known as jorakander, lohakath, ashok, horitoki, horifol, sundari, agnichutra, gamber, cycus, chalta, chatim, krisnachura, naspati, karbi, lotkon, sofeda, sishu, etc are available in the gardens. According to botany department of the university, the temperature on the campus remains two to three degrees lower than that of usual temperature throughout the year because of large number of trees. So inhabitants here enjoy a pleasant weather even during the summer. People from outside visit RU campus to get relief from the heat. Fifty tall gogon shirish trees on both sides of the university's Paris Road offer a pleasant view at night under sodium lamps. “If anyone walks through the gardens on the campus especially of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall and Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall, he will see obvious signs of cut trees,” said Nazmul Alam Oronno, a resident of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall, also a student of law and justice department. "We chased the thieves one night recently after hearing a loud sound of tree felling, but the thieves managed to flee the spot leaving tree," he added. Mirza Toufiq, a student of mathematics department, also a resident of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall, said one night thieves threw stones and brickbats at them as they shouted after hearing the sound of chopping tree. “We informed the hall provost of the matter,” he said. Prof Murtaza Khaled, provost of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall, told this correspondent that when he learnt the matter, he informed the university authorities to take steps in this regard. “I also asked the guards and members of law enforcement agencies who are on duty at the hall to be alert about the theft at night,” he added.
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