Patuakhali Embankment Repair Fuels Accusations of Illegal Tree Felling
Photo Collected
Authorities are accused of uprooting approximately 200 trees, some planted around 30 years ago, in the Mirzaganj Upazila of Patuakhali, under the guise of embankment and road repairs. Local tree owners and beneficiaries claim significant financial losses due to the actions of the Water Development Board (WDB) and the involved contracting firm.
Residents allege that the trees were removed using excavators without adhering to regulations and possibly under political influence during the embankment renovation. This has resulted in financial hardship for beneficiaries and a loss of potential government revenue.
বিজ্ঞাপন
An inspection revealed that the repair work is ongoing along the embankment of the Sreemonto River in North Jhatibunia village, Amaragachhia Union. Along the road adjacent to the embankment, from Kismat Jhatibunia to North Jhatibunia, roughly 200 trees of various species, including Mahogany, Rain Tree, and Champak, have been uprooted. These felled trees now lie scattered on the roadside and in agricultural fields.
According to the Forest Department and local sources, the afforestation program was implemented on the embankment in 1996 through an initiative by the WDB, with local residents participating as stakeholders. The current renovation work is taking place along a 1,100-meter section of an approximately 8-kilometer stretch of the embankment, from Kathaltali to Mohishkata. Local beneficiaries estimate the market value of the uprooted trees to be around 600,000 Bangladeshi Taka.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Local resident and beneficiary Md. Liton Howlader, 42, stated that he and others planted these trees with the assistance of the Forest Department about 30 years ago, and they have now reached a marketable size. He claims the WDB contractor removed the trees without any prior notice, disregarding objections from locals.
Md. Jalilur Rahman, president of the Green Afforestation Project Beneficiary Committee, echoed these concerns, adding that they have maintained the trees since their planting. He reported that a contracting company uprooted approximately 200 mature trees during the embankment repairs, ignoring their protests. He confirmed that the Forest Department was informed, but the tree removal continued.
Md. Moniruzzaman, the Upazila Forest Officer in Mirzaganj, indicated that the WDB had requested time for the formal cutting or removal of the trees through a tender process. However, he stated that the WDB proceeded with the uprooting via contractors without granting them sufficient time, deeming the action irregular. A proposal for the tender process has now been sent to the district committee for approval, after which further steps will be taken.
Contractor Md. Minazur Rahman Sohag Mridha defended his actions, stating he was following instructions from the Water Development Board and would cease work if directed.
Patuakhali WDB Executive Engineer Md. Rakib confirmed that a written request was made to the Forest Department three months ago for action regarding the trees to facilitate embankment repairs. He noted the Forest Department’s inaction and emphasized the urgency of the repairs due to the area’s vulnerability to floods, especially with the approaching monsoon season. He added that instructions have been given to the contractor to prevent any further uprooting or damage to trees.
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