The upazila administration and agriculture department have launched a campaign to destroy 6.27 lakh environmentally harmful Acacia auriculiformis (Akashmoni) and Eucalyptus saplings grown privately across 17 nurseries in Lama of Bandaban.
The drive began on Tuesday at Messrs Saimum Nursery in West Sheeler Tua Para, inaugurated by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Moin Uddin.
The initiative, guided by the Ministry of Agriculture, is offering compensation of Tk 4 per sapling to nursery owners. Several officials and community leaders were present during the launch.
According to the agriculture department, these species are banned for cultivation due to their adverse environmental impact. They extract excessive groundwater and deplete soil fertility, limiting the growth of surrounding vegetation and reducing crop yields.
Field officers have been tasked with counting the saplings, distributing compensation, and overseeing their removal. Officials confirmed that all such saplings in Lama upazila will be destroyed in phases as part of this ongoing environmental protection programme.