Felling of 8 Royal Palm Trees remains mystery
Two workers engaged in sawing a felled Royal Palm Tree on Embankment Road of Barisal city on Saturday as authorities arranged cutting down eight such century-old trees of Caribbean origin, setting a good example of utter callousness about the history and heritage of the city. Photo: STAR
Eight century-old Royal Palm Trees of Caribbean origin were felled in Bandh Road area of the city in the last one week as authorities paid no heed to protests from the citizens. The trees were the remaining ones from hundreds of the impressive species adorning the city since the British period. Earlier on Monday, labourers in presence of Barisal City Corporation officials cut down the upper portions of those trees, causing their virtual death, locals said. During a visit to the spot on Saturday afternoon, this correspondent saw labourers felling down the giant trees. "City corporation officials employed us to do the work for per head Tk 300 a day," said Rustam, a labourer. Mutalib Hossain, executive engineer, and Swapan, staff of the power supply section of BCC, said Power Development Board (PDB) installed 33KV power distribution lines close to those trees. Later PDB told us to fell them for safety of the lines during stormy seasons, they said. ATM Tarikul Islam, executive engineer, Division-2 of West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCO) of PDB, however, denied giving any instruction by PBD to cut down those rare trees. He said the power lines concerned are under the jurisdiction of Division-1 of the company. On the other hand, Azizul Huq, executive engineer of WZPDCO Division-1, said that there was no 33 KV line under their jurisdiction. About 125-140 years ago, the then British rulers planted hundreds of Royal Palm Trees, imported from Caribbean and South American regions, on both sides of the Embankment Road, Sadar Road, College Road and other important areas of the city for beautification and environmental purposes as British administrative officials lived there, said renowned environment activist Dwijen Sharma. "In course of time only a few of those impressive trees maintained their existence in Barisal city. Lastly they have met tragic end," he added. Condemning destruction of the historic palm trees, Dr Mizanur Rahman, member secretary of Barisal Nagorik Samaj, said, "The Royal Palm Trees became part of the city's tradition and heritage. Those who are responsible for their extinction must be punished for violating related laws."
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