The Tarash-Ranihat regional road in Sirajganj's Tarash upazila has many hundred-year-old large banyan trees adjacent to it. Of these, 18 banyan trees have been cut down. Which has caused adverse reactions among the common people. Meanwhile, Sirajganj Roads and Urban Development Department, Tarash Upazila Executive Office and Upazila Forest Department have not received any notice regarding cutting these trees
It can be seen on the ground that this huge hundred year old banyan tree is being cut by about 10 to 15 workers. The workers are not able to finish the work that has been going on for the last two or three days. Some are cutting tree branches and some are cutting tree roots. They are approaching to cut the tree from morning till evening. Again, many people are witnessing the cutting of this tree while standing or watching the video on their mobile phones.
Seraj Fakir, a vegetable seller in Gontabazar of Talam Union of the upazila, said that the banyan tree was standing day after day as a witness of time. He has sold many vegetables under the shade of the tree. But now that the tree has been cut down, that scene may no longer be seen. So, there has been discussion and criticism among the common people about cutting down the tree. Chandra Narayan Bhowmik, head of the Department of Botany at Tarash Degree College, said there is no substitute for trees for human survival. If one tree is cut down, at least 10 more trees need to be planted. Trees maintain the balance of nature. The hundred-year-old trees that were cut down on both sides of the road were sustaining the balance of nature over a century. He also urged everyone to plant more trees. He further said that trees help in providing oxygen, food to the animals and maintaining the balance of the environment.
Sirajganj Road and Town Department Executive Engineer Didalur Alam Tarafdar and Tarash Upazila NIrbahi Officer Mezbaul Karim said that authorities do not know the matter.
