Dead rain trees pose threat to passers-by
Century-old rain trees that died of rare disease in the Central Railway Building (CRB) and Polo Ground areas pose a threat to passers-by.Photo: Zobaer Hossain Sikder
Around 60 century-old rain trees that died of a rare and unprecedented diseases in and around the Central Railway Building (CRB) and Polo Ground areas in the port city are standing till date although a decision to raze them was taken eight months ago. Many of them with trunks getting rotten by now are posing a threat of accident to the frequenters whereas the railway authorities can earn something from the sale of logs and timbers on auction. The rain trees (Albizia saman) were noticed as dying in April last year. They were attacked with 'Die-Back' disease due to fungus known as 'Botryodiplodia theobromae, or root rot or wilt,' experts said. The railway authorities decided to chop down the dying trees in May last year from bottom and put the timbers on auction for sale as well as to replace them, planting trees like tick and mahogany. A committee was formed in this regard with representatives from Department of Forest, police and district administration last year to identify the trees to sell them on auction. But the engineering department of Railway Eastern Zone is yet to prepare give work order for razing the trees till date. The standing trunks of the dead trees are now raising concern among the frequenters of CRB and Pologround areas since several incidents of died out branches coming off the trees have already been reported. Shakhawat Hossain, owner of a departmental store, said on the way to New Market he hardly ventures to drive his car along the usual roads in the CRB and Pologround areas, particularly after the rain, as the dead trunks and branch can break down any time. Md Mahabubul Alam Khoka, general manager of a financial institute, said he becomes scared of falling victim to accident while he passes beneath the trees on the way to and from his office twice a day. Prof Md Amin Uddin Mridha of the Botany Department of Chittagong University said the trees that have already died out or can not be recovered should be not kept at the present state. He said if the authorities want the trunks can be trimmed down to five or six-feet height and given an artistic view after coating them with paints and paintings that will prevent decay. “The cause behind the death of these trees may be fungal pathogens or some other reasons relating to the soil and environment,” said Prof Mridha, also vice-chairman of Biodiversity Research Group of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the railway authority claimed that they were quite aware of the situation and trying to sell out the dead trees for razing as early as possible. Chief Engineer (Civil) Noor Mohammad of Railway Eastern Zone said the divisional engineer's office is handling the tendering process and advertisement inviting tender in this regard has already been published in two local dailies. He said the qualified tenders will be approved whenever they reach his office for felling the dead trees. Divisional Engineer 2 Amanat Ullah said they have received tenders for razing 17 dead trees in the first phase and the qualified tender has already been sent to the Chief Engineer's Office for approval to prepare the work order. Tenders have also been received to sell off the rest 40 trees. The tenders of the second phase will be opened this month while those of the third phase in March, said Amanat.
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