JU burns greenery, threatens wildlife

At least seven bushy areas of Jahangirnagar University, which is endowed with rich biodiversity, were burnt in the last couple of days causing harm to the environment.

Teachers and students have expressed deep concern over the issue as the practice has been going on for a long time increasing the adverse impact on the environment.

According to estate office of JU, some rowdy visitors and inhabitants of the campus who walk through the bushes frequently create bushfires by disposing lit cigarette butts after smoking in the bushes.

However, some students alleged that university gardeners set fire to bushes to keep the places beside roads and buildings clean as trimming overgrown bushes is time consuming.

While visiting the area, this correspondent saw the remaining of some burnt bushes near Botanical Garden, AFM Kamal Uddin hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hall, Al Biruni Hall, Water Research Centre and the chemistry department.

A bush was still burning behind the Teacher-Student Centre of the university during the visit of this correspondent.

Prof Khabir Uddin of environmental sciences of the university said, “It will not only affect trees and animals but also damage the land permanently as micro-bacteria and other micro-components of soil, which are must for its fertility, get destroyed.”

He said burning the bushes would drive away animals like squirrel, bird, mongoose, lizard, and water monitor that find their homes in the bushes.

The professor demanded immediate measures to stop such act.

Selim Reza, a master's student of economics, said, “Our university estate office is totally careless to save the environment of our university and do not discharge their duties properly.

Seeking anonymity an official of the estate office said, “People who are unable to do their job in other offices are transferred here. So, they are not properly trained to do this job.”

Prof Monwar Hossain, chairman of the zoology department, said, “I have personally met the estate office officials expressing concern over the issue and it seems that the authorities are not playing their due role to protect the environment.”

Also an organiser of the annual butterfly fair on the campus, he said, “Butterflies, birds and other eco-friendly components have already been affected due to the bushfires.”

Denying the allegation that the university gardeners are burning bushy areas to clean the places, Nurul Amin, acting officer of the office, said, “We do not have enough manpower for the maintenance of the campus and protect its biodiversity easily. Only two guards have been appointed to inspect the whole campus.”

“Everybody should come forward to protect the environment of the campus,” he said. He urged the university authorities and students to raise awareness on this issue.