Mindless tree felling continues under the nose of forest office

A section of tree looters has been continuing felling trees of social forestry under the nose of the local forest office in Manchhara bit area under Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar.

More than 50 beneficiaries of the social forestry have fallen victims to the mindless act of tree felling. A few people have been felling trees from the area for some days in collusion with the forest officer of the adjacent forest office, the locals alleged.

Visiting the spot, this correspondent saw clear evidence of massive tree felling and found seven to eight workers cutting down several acacia trees.

Meanwhile, the local forest department seized about 20 cubic feet of timber. However, the beneficiaries of social forestry have complained that the forest department has not taken any action against those involved yet.

Another beneficiary wishing not to be named said that this gang steals and cuts down trees with help of the forest department.

Workers Ershad (26), Yakub Ali (29) and Matin Mia (40) said, "We have come to cut down trees on a daily wage of Tk 600. A man named Yusuf Mia told us to cut down the trees."

"We have informed the forest department several times about cutting down the trees but to no effect," said the beneficiaries.

Md Abdul Matlib, a beneficiary, said that trees from the social forestry had never been cut down in Manchhara bit before the arrival of the new ranger.

But since his arrival, trees from the bit have been being cut down regularly. And Yusuf, who is cutting down the trees now, is also close to the range officer, he claimed.

On the other hand, about 60 cubic feet of timber was seized whereas only 20 cubic feet have been mentioned in the seizure list, he added.

Another beneficiary Abdus Shahid Chinu said, "If there is no signal from the forest department, will you dare cut the mango tree just half a kilometre away from the forest department office?"

Asked about the matter, Yusuf Mia admitted that he was felling trees, "The land owners Najib Ali and Tahir Mia have sold the trees to me in exchange for money."

Asked if he had taken any permission from the forest department to cut down the trees, he said that he didn't have any permission.

Najib Ali's son Tajul Islam said "A part of the Manchhara bit is owned by us. The case is pending in the high court."

"However, we did not sell the trees to anyone," he added.

Md Riaz Uddin, Kulaura Range Officer, termed the allegations against him as baseless.

He said, "I don't know anything about this. Legal action will be taken against those involved."

 GM Abu Bakkar Siddique, assistant conservator of the forest department in Moulvibazar, said, "I wasn't aware of the matter until now. We will conduct an inquiry and take action if the allegations of tree looting are found to be true."