300 roadside green trees felled in Lalmonirhat
Workers employed allegedly by men of ruling Awami League fell live trees beside Dakhalibandha-Ketkibari road at Bejgram village in Hatibandha upazila under Lalmonirhat district yesterday. Photo: Star
Men allegedly belonging to the ruling Awami League felled around 300 green trees worth about Tk 30 lakh beside Dakhalibandha-Ketikibari road following an auction of 89 dead trees at Bejgram village in Hatibandha upazila under the district during the last six days.
A week ago, Karimullah Islam, chairman of local NGO Tongbhanga Federation at Bejgram village of Tongbhanga union in Hatibandha upazila got a Tk 15 thousand bid order for 89 dead trees, Lalmonirhat district council official sources said, adding that the bidder is not entitled to fell any green tree.
But showing the bid document of district council, some identified ruling party AL men have continued felling roadside green trees in presence of district council officials since June 25, local people alleged.
"Showing district council's bid document of some dead trees, some people felled seven big green mahogany trees beside the road near my house. I dared not protest the act as the gang is strong and connected with the ruling party," said Ramanath Barmon, a local.
“At least 40 hired labourers are engaged in felling roadside green trees in the village. Since June 25 they have felled a few hundred green trees in presence of district council officials,” said Mohsin Ali, a resident of Bejgram village.
Contacted, the bidder Karimullah Islam said, "It is true that I got the bid taking help of some Awami League men but I did not fell any green tree. My hired labourers felled the roadside dead trees as per the auction in presence of district council staff.”
Logs from such illegally felled trees being taken away for sale. Photo: Star
Selim Hossain, chairman of Tongbhanga union parishad, said, "Many roadside green trees are being felled but the bidder was asked to fell only dead trees. Some unscrupulous staffs of the district council are allegedly involved in the matter. I informed the UNO of Hatibandha of the matte and urged taking necessary step in this regard."
UNO Sarowar Hossain said he has nothing about it as the district council is the authority concerned regarding roadside trees.
Motiar Rahman, administrator of Lalmonirhat District Council, said, he has already sent a team to the spot for inquiry and action will be taken against the bidder if he team is found guilty of felling any trees other than the ones under the bid order.
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