Over 50 roadside trees felled in Kalapara

Remains of trunks bear testimony to illegal felling of the trees beside Kalapara-Kuakata alternative road in Baliatoli area of Kalapara upazila under Patuakhali district during the last three days. The forest department planted the trees 15 years ago. PHOTO: STAR

Over 50 roadside trees were felled by a union parishad (UP) chairman in Baliatoli area under Kuakata upazila of the district in the last three days.
Locals alleged that Md Humayun Kabir, chairman of Baliatoli Union Parishad (UP) cut down the trees along Kalapara-Kuakata alternative road and brought them to a field near the UP office.
Locals said the forest department planted trees along the road from Shishu Academy to Tulatali Bazar around 15 years ago. The labourers engaged by the UP chairman felled over 50 trees on both sides of the road.
The labourers told this correspondent that UP Chairman Humayun Kabir engaged them to cut down the trees with a daily wage of Tk 300 per head.
Contacted, Chairman Humayun Kabir said he felled only seven to eight dead trees and brought them to the field in front of the UP office. “After taking decision in a union parishad meeting, I will auction them off,” the chairman said.
Local forest officer Md Belayet Hossain said he was not aware of the matter.
Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jahangir Hossain told the correspondent that he would investigate the matter and take legal steps against the man who illegally felled the roadside trees.