Bapa, Khasis protest plan to cut 2,000 trees

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) yesterday formed a human chain in Chowmuhona in Moulvibazar, protesting against the Jhimai Tea Garden authorities' decision to cut down around 2,000 trees on a land whose ownership is being claimed by both Khasi community and the latter.

The 71 Khasi families in Jhimai Punjee claimed that they have been paying taxes on the land and if the trees are felled, betel leaves which they have been cultivating there will get destroyed.

Refuting their claim of paying tax, the tea garden authorities said they leased the garden area in Kulaura upazila from the government which also includes the land and about a week ago they even got government permission for cutting the trees from among 12,000 including Rata, Karai and Mahogany.

Meanwhile, BAPA's Habiganj unit protested against Thursday's incident of cutting and looting 20 trees, worth around Tk 10 lakh, beside Chunarughat-Asampara road in Rajarbazar area and demanded that the government take immediate measures in this regard.

The local government and forest officials planted around 3,171 trees, including Akashi and Mahogany, eight years ago.

Giving assurance of taking actions against the miscreants, who are still unidentified, Chunarughat forest officials blamed inadequate manpower for being unable to protect the trees.