Patuakhali forests shrink as random tree felling on
Hard-pressed locals sell trees even before they mature
Logs get loaded onto a truck at Kagujirpul in Baufal upazila under Patuakhali district for transport to other places as the region sees random tree felling in the absence of adequate action by the authorities concerned. Photo: STAR
Unscrupulous timber traders have continued random tree felling throughout the district, especially in remote chars (coastal islands), to sell it to brickfields, match factories and furniture shops at different places. The situation seriously affects forest resources in the coastal district where only seven percent of the land area is now covered with forest, said sources at Patuakhali forest office. Around 30 trucks and 10 trawlers are used to carry about 300 tonnes of logs daily from the district to different places including Dhaka and Chittagong, local sources said. Eight to ten trucks and trawlers loaded with logs, mostly of rain tree, chambol, karai and mango, daily start from Baufal upazila for certain places or company, said Farid Mridha, 30, of Kagujirpul area under the upazila. On an average each vehicle carries 10 tonnes of logs, he said. Buyers feel interested to buy wood from remote char lands as poor people of these areas sell trees at very cheap rates. Often hard-pressed villagers sell the trees before they mature. "The tree which now sells at only Tk 500 would be worth Tk 5000 to 6000 if they are allowed to grow for five years more," said Babul Gazi, 50, of Diarakachua, a remote char. Most people of the remote areas became jobless during this time of the year and they often sell trees to maintain the family, he said, adding that some local people work as brokers and arrange the sale. "Rural people are not so aware of the harmful effects of random tree felling on our environment. The number of trees planted is much smaller compared to the number of trees felled every year. If anyone cuts one tree he should plant at least two trees," said Uttam Kumer Gangulee, chief of Baufal upazila nursery. The existing law requires permission from the local forest office if anybody wants to cut tree but the law is often neglected. Random tree felling leads to deforestation that raises the occurrence of various disasters like flood, cyclone, storm, heavy rainfall or drought, an official of Baufal forest office said. Environmentalists suggest keeping forest on at least 25 percent of a country's land area to keep ecological balance but only seven percent of the land area of Patuakhali district is now covered with forest. When contacted, Divisional Forest Officer Gobindo Roy said, "Random tree cutting must be stopped to protect forests. We have already asked all upazila officers to make local people aware to obey the relevant law. If anybody wants to cut trees even on his personal land he should take permission from the local officer concerned. He emphasized political and social commitment as well as public awareness for success in this regard.
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