Birishiri tree felling goes on
Ignoring a High Court order, old trees are still being chopped down at Birishiri of Netrakona. The photo was taken yesterday.Photo: STAR
Netrakona Zila Parishad and forest department have failed to stop the chopping down of century-old trees beside a road in Birishiri and to comply with the High Court's 10-day status quo order.
Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona Anish Mahmud yesterday told The Daily Star that the chief executive officer of Netrakona Zila Parishad issued a letter to the contractors, the upazila nirbahi officer and the officer-in-charge of Durgapur Police Station to stop the felling of trees.
Chief Executive Officer Md Aftab Ali said a letter was issued to officials concerned of Durgapur asking them to halt the cutting of trees which was being done to make the road wider.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Durgapur Kamruzzaman Mia said he sent an official concerned to the contractors to stop the felling of trees but the contractors did not stop.
Officer-in-Charge of Durgapur Police Station Abul Kalam Azad said he did not get any letter from the zila parishad asking him to stop the chopping down of trees.
The High Court on Tuesday directed the government to maintain status quo for 10 days on felling of trees on both sides of a road between Janjail Bazar and Durgapur upazila in Netrakona. The order came following a writ petition filed by Liton Mrong, general secretary of Garo Baptist Convention.
Liton Mrong yesterday said cutting trees is continuing. Two contractors at the spot instructed workers to continue their work.
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