Residents along the Pabna-Ishwardi highway have raised concerns over the extensive felling of trees, including valuable ones, along with the removal of hazardous trees from the roadside.
This ongoing tree-clearing operation, which includes the sale of both live and dead trees through auctions at significantly reduced prices, has sparked environmental worries.
Fresh trees, with a market value ranging from Tk 50,000 to 1 lakh, are being auctioned off for an average of Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000, resulting in significant revenue losses for the government. The situation has been particularly noticeable on the Pabna-Ishwardi highway.
The detrimental effects of this tree-clearing spree are twofold. Firstly, it poses a serious threat to the local environment, removing vital greenery that plays a protective role against natural calamities. Secondly, the government is losing out on substantial revenue due to the undervaluation of these trees.
Allegations have arisen, suggesting that certain government officials may be complicit in this mass tree felling. However, the Road Department is pledging to address the issue by taking action against contractors responsible for cutting down fresh trees. They plan to replace the felled trees with new ones.
Investigations reveal that in the Bhawanipur area of the Pabna-Ishwardi highway, fresh trees located at least ten feet away from the roadside are being considered "risky" and sold at nominal prices. This categorization allows these valuable trees to be chopped down under official orders. The average price for both small and large trees at the Road Department's auctions stands at Tk 3,144, far below their market value, which is approximately Tk 80,000.
According to information from the Road Department, during the fiscal year 2022-23, six packages were granted permission to cut down dead and dangerous trees along the highway. The fifth package, encompassing a total of 71 trees from Gachpara in Pabna to Muladuli Railgate in Ishwardi, was auctioned to Sagar Traders, a contractor company from Dinajpur. They paid a total of Tk 2,23,250 to the government in the highest auction, including VAT tax, while the average price of these 71 trees was a mere Tk 3,144.
Local residents, including Saiful Islam and Abdus Sattar from Bhavanipur village, have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the protective role these trees have played in safeguarding their homes and businesses from highway accidents and natural disasters. They demand an immediate halt to tree felling and accountability for those involved.
Mehdi Hasan Babu, the manager of Sagar Traders, defended their actions, stating they were following established rules and checking numbered trees marked for removal. However, an anonymous contractor employee suggested that it was up to the government office to determine why fresh trees were being sold.
The situation has raised eyebrows among local officials as well. Bakul Sardar, chairman of Dashuria Union Parishad of Ishwardi, acknowledged receiving complaints and pledged to submit a written complaint to the Pabna Roads and Public Paths Department. He called for action against the contractor responsible for the tree felling.
Executive Engineer Abul Mansoor Ahmed of the Pabna Road and Township Department reassured the public that all dangerous and dead trees along bends and the roadside had been auctioned as per regular procedures. He stated that action would be taken if contractors were found to be cutting fresh trees outside the scope of the auctions and emphasized the department's commitment to replacing the felled trees with new ones.
