CHAPAINAWABGANJ, May 15: Ignoring protest of the Barind Multi-purpose Development Authority (BMDA), the Zilla Parishad has cut big 258 trees from along two sides of a road and sold these.
According to a request of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the Zilla Parishad cut down these trees from both sides of the road.
The RHD asked for cutting trees up to 250 metres from only one side of the road for making a 250-metre drain.
But trees from both sides ranging up to three kilometres (KM) were cut.
In this regard, the Zilla Parishad complained against the Zilla Parishad.
In 1987, saplings of these trees were planted by BMDA.
The cut trees included Shimul (silk cotton), ran tree, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), and Sisso (Indian rosewood).
Locals were critical of felling so many trees amid severe heatwave.
The desperate felling of the trees has made negative impact on the nature. They demanded proper investigation.
After beginning, cutting of the trees BMDA gave letter to the Zilla Parishad for stopping it. But its request was ignored.
Even the Zilla Parishad denied the agreement signed with the BMDA in 2021. It was claimed by BMDA authorities.
Executive Engineer of BMDA Md Al Mamunur Rashid said, the trees planted in 1988-89 belonged to the BMDA.
Despite BMDA authoritys letter to the district administration about stopping the tree cutting, the district administration sold these trees through auction without informing them.
Sub-Divisional Engineer of the RHD Md Mehedi Khan said, the drain will be of 250 metres, and it will be along one side of the road.
"I don know why the Zilla Parishad has cut trees of both sides," he added.
Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad Md Afaz Uddin gave assurance of partnership share, if BMDAs ownership is proved.
As the Zilla Parishad is the owner of the land, so it is also the owner of the trees, he added.
He further said, trees have been sold following specific process.
In the last two years, the BMDA didn claim ownership; RHD sent letter to BMDA; but BMDA didn make any response, he said again.
A meeting will be held on May 13 and all will have to accept whatever decision is taken on fair parity basis, he maintained.
These trees of the road ranging from Amnoora to Kendul Road were cut down in two lots through tender.
The trees were 35-40 years old. Trees cut in the one lot were sold at Tk 26 lakh, and trees cut in the second lot were sold at Tk 32 lakh.
