Photo : Messenger
Dinajpur is burning in intense heat with an average temperature over 40°C. But in the meantime, 298 trees are being cut for road widening in Setabganj of Bochaganj upazila of the district. There has been mixed reaction among the locals over the incident.
In 1990, the Zilla Parishad planted Mahogany, Bakail, Pakur, Kadam, Krishnachura, Jackfruit, Mango, Kamranga along the roads of Bochaganj Upazila along with the road of Roads and Highways Department (RHD). RHD has started widening those roads. But the 35-year-old trees are blocking the task.
On February 4, Zilla Parishad issued a lease for the sale of 298 trees in 7 lots in different areas of Bochaganj Upazila and on April 16, orders were given to cut the trees. Locals complain that trees are being cut in the name of widening the road. Moreover the trees which are far away from the road are being cut. Anger has arisen among the locals due to the cutting of trees amid intense heat.
Montazul Islam, a local, said, “While extending the road, the trees that fall within the boundary should be cut. But why are the trees far away from the road being cut? The authorities don't listen when we interrupt them. They are cutting trees and making the area a desert. If there are trees on the side of the road, people park their cars and relax a bit. But if there are no trees, where they rest for a while?”
Rasel Islam said, “The trees should have got cut at least after summer. But they were cut down the in this heat. The trees were cut on the orders of the higher authorities. They sit in AC and orders to cut trees. We want the trees not to be cut down.”
As a result of cutting down the trees, sales have decreased in around fifty shops in the area. Shopkeepers complain that customers do not want to stand in front of the shop in this intense heat.
Zainal Abedin, a local computer shop owner, said, “Just a week ago, people used to come to my store parking bikes in front of my shop. After cutting down the trees, the internal heat of the shop has risen immensely. The number of customers has also decreased. They did not do it right cutting the trees during this summer.
Anwar Hossain, the owner of the contracting company M/s Anwar Enterprises, said that the trees were bought through a tender from the district council. The trees are being cut as per the work order under the supervision of the district council officer.
Raich Uddin, deputy assistant engineer of the road sub-division of the Dinajpur RHD, said that road widening is ongoing. Earlier the road was 18 feet. Now it will be widened to 24 feet. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the Zilla Parishad from the Directorate of RHD to cut the roadside trees.”
He added, “The Zilla Parishad has sold the trees through tender with all their responsibilities. If the tree is cut outside the map, they have to take responsibility for it.”
Dinajpur Zilla Parishad CEO Moklesur Rahman said, “Before I joined, a requisition came from the RHD to cut these trees. As per the requisition, the collection of prices from the Forest Department, the District Commissioner's office and the Divisional Commissioner's office have been approved. Then we gave the tender.”
He added, “I am getting complaints that some trees cut are too far from the road. I have spoken to the engineer about this but could not get any proper answer. A tree takes a long time to grow, but I was surprised to be cut like this. I spoke about it in the meeting. Trees far from the road should not be cut anymore.”
Messenger/Fameema
