Durgapur people call to spare 200 century-old trees
Netrakona Zila Parisahd has sold a number of century-old trees like these ones beside the road at Birishiri in Netrakona district in the name of road development. Photo: STAR
People from all walks of life in Durgapur upazila under the district have urged the government to save 249 trees including 200 century-old ones on both sides of the road from Jhanjail Bazar to Durgapur upazila headquarters. The trees are essential for environmental balance as well as beautification of the area including Durgapur tourist spot but Netrakona Zila Parishad sold the trees in the name of road development, locals said. On October 11 last year, the High Court directed the government to maintain a 10-day status quo on felling of the 249 trees on both sides of the road between Jhanjail Bazar and Durgapur upazila, following a writ petition filed by Liton Mrong, general secretary of Garo Baptist Convention. Later on October 23, the High Court further directed the government to maintain a three-month status quo on chopping the trees. Effectiveness of the status quo ends on January 23 this year. Cutting of only a few trees on one side of the road at one or two places would be enough to widen the road but the authorities decided to unnecessarily fell down a large number of trees, locals said. Urging the government to take permanent steps to save the 249 trees including 200 century-old ones, Jalaluddin Talukder, former lawmaker from Netrakona-1 constituency, said, "Initiative to cut the trees was taken to satisfy a vested group." Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP candidate from BNP in Netrakona-1 (Durgapur-Kalmakanda) constituency in 2008 general election, also expressed similar views. "The cutting of trees will affect the balance of the environment and natural beauty of the area, including Durgapur tourist spot. Twenty-six of the century-old trees belong to the Garo Baptists Convention and they have been sold without informing us. The act violates the law of the land," said Liton Mrong, general secretary of the convention. The Netrakona Zila Parishad floated tenders on August 24 last year as they had decided to sell over 249 trees in the name of developing a 37km road from Durgapur upazila and Shamganj Bazar in Purbadhola upazila. It is alleged that 35 organisations won the tenders for throwaway prices. Zila Parishad sources said they decided to sell the trees as Netrakona Roads and Highways Department (RHD) requested them to sell the tree for developing and widening the road. "The government allocated Tk 27 crore for developing the road. The trees were sold through due tender process to increase width of the road from existing 3.7 metres to 5.5 metres," said ayeeduddin, sub-assistant engineer of Netrakona RHD. When contacted, Matior Rahman Khan, administrator of Netrakona Zila Parishad, said, “I shall look into the matter to rules and regulations. I will visit the spots to see the actual situation. After exchanging views with the engineer of zila parishad and executive engineer of Netrakona Roads and Highways I shall take decision in this regard.”
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