Hundreds of trees of afforestation project felled in two districts
Remains of trunks bear testimony to rampant felling and plundering of the tree planted under coastal afforestration project Sabuj Bestoni Prakalpa in different areas of Patuakhali district. The photo was taken from the flood control embankment at Char Miazan in Baufal upazila a couple of days ago.Photo: STAR
A group of influential people have continued to fell trees of afforestation project, known as 'Sabuj Bestoni Prakalpa' of forest department in different areas of Patuakhali and Barguna districts. In Patuakhali, a group led allegedly by Shahjahan, Alamgir Matobbar, and Mujibul Haque Howlader felled at least 100 trees on a flood control dyke at Char Miajan in Baufal upazila on March 22. A team of local journalists saw the trunks and roots of the felled trees while visiting the area. The authorities planted different types of trees including, raintree, acacia and shishu on both sides of a 14-km long dam from Char Miajan Bazar to Bou Bazar, 15 years ago. The group cut down the trees whenever they need them, alleged locals. “But nobody dared to protest the incident as they are very powerful”, said one of them. Shahjahan said he had felled a few trees as a portion of the dam was built on his land. Contacted, Baufal upazila forest officer Chand Mia said, he was not aware about the matter. Necessary steps would be taken against those responsible for the offence after visiting the spot, he said. Away in Barguna, a section of timber traders led by Sobahan Fakir, Mostafa Farazee and Monir Hossain cut down over 1,000 trees in Kumirmara forest area in Sadar upazila on March 23, locals alleged. The trees include gawa, gamari, bain and shishu. On information, Babuganj beat officer Golam Mostafa rushed to the area but came under attack allegedly by a gang led by one Shahid Mia at about 5:00pm. Later, Babuganj police rescued him from the spot and seized 400 felled trees, said sub-inspector Kamal Hossain. Contacted, divisional forest officer Gobinda Roy said, strict action would be taken against those responsible for the offence after investigating the matter.
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