Trees on the Jessore Road

Road Transport and Highway division's additional secretary Mohammad Belayet Hossain had said that the cutting of trees on the historic Jessore Road was to begin in a month, that this was going to widen the road and would have four lanes later in the future.

However, recent development in the High Court (HC) on 18 January 2018 directed the government to maintain status quo on the decision of cutting down century-old trees on the Jessore-Benapole Highway, popularly known as Jessore Road, for six months.

The HC bench came up with the order under the circumstantial protests against the government's decision to cut down thousands of trees for a four lane road. The bench also asked the government to explain the reason why they cannot preserve these witnesses of history and build the road at the same time.

The Jessore Road connects Bangladesh and India. The length of the road is 108 km- 38 km from Jessore to Benapole on the Bangladesh side and 70 km from Petrapole to Dumdum in Kolkata, India.

The construction of Jessore Road had started in 1840 by the then landlord of Jessore, Kali Poddar, and finished in 1844. He planted rows upon rows of rain trees for shade. He had planted about two hundred fifty trees, which are now over 180 years old. Afterwards, more trees were planted. In the 38 km long road, there are over 2 thousand trees on both sides of the road.

It is said that Poddar constructed this road to get his mother to Calcutta for treatment and the trees are for providing shade.

Jessore Road is very significant in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Hundreds of refugees had passed from Bangladesh to India through this road. The famous poem 'September on Jessore Road', written by renowned American poet Allen Ginsberg regarding the liberation war of Bangladesh, is known to the world. 'September on Jessore Road' became a reflection of the people fleeing in the face of genocide and torture in Bangladesh.

Jessore Road is now facing an upgrade into a four lane and a future six lane road. The road is only two lanes at the moment. On January 6, a three-member local parliamentarian committee and its engineers expressed their intention to cut the trees for road development in Jessore. They stated that the trees have to be cut to make the road wider.

Jessore Road has a stunning aesthetic view. The branches overshadow the road, their thick foliage providing cool shade to travellers. The greenery stretches as far as eyes can see. 

Jessore Road covers the various kinds of trees from Bangladesh and India. There are debates going on about the saving of green forest areas in Bangladesh, including one of the prides of our nation- the Sundarbans. Jessore Road is another heritage of our nation. The trees are the witnesses of history of Bangladesh.

If we really want to protect our beautiful green lands and its versatile forests, we all should come forward to save Jessore Road. The Jessore Road is eco-friendly. There are flowers and bird nests in these trees. The atmosphere in Jessore Road is always mild.

To summarize, the environment factor must be taken into account in any kind of development plan. Whether the goal is four lanes or six lanes, it is quite possible to accomplish that by keeping the trees. There are many examples where roads have been expanded, yet the trees were untouched. The trees remain standing as always. We must follow such examples.