Restaurant in century old banyan trees, the chirping of birds is lost in the noise of people
Photo Collected
Many birds used to nest on the branches of the century-old banyan tree. A chirping sound could be heard. Now chairs and tables have been placed on that branch. The restaurant is ready. People from far and wide are flocking there, taking pictures, eating food. The natural chirping of birds is lost in this increased human presence.
The location of the restaurant is next to the road in Ghordah area of Charatala market of Harinakundu upazila of Jhenaidah. The entrepreneurs of this exceptional restaurant are two local youths. Named ‘Vrikshabilas Cafe and Restaurant’.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The century-old banyan tree on the banks of the Kapashhatiya stream was known to people as a shade and a habitat for birds. According to local residents, this restaurant is already crowded every day. They are coming here with their families from far away. Some come to eat, others come to visit the restaurant. They are moving from branch to branch. Eating food sitting on a branch.
Entrepreneurs say that they are not doing anything that damages trees and environment. However, the leaders of environmental organizations say that the killing of the hundred-year-old banyan tree has been organized by the restaurant.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The restaurant is located next to Charatala Bazar on Jhenaidah-Harinakundu road, 13 km from Jhenaidah town. It can also be reached easily via Katlamari-Charatla road via Holidhani Bazar.
On the surface, the top of the tree is still full of green leaves. Small branches are spread around. Under those leaves, the restaurant is made of bamboo-wood by joining the branches at a height of about 25 feet from the ground. Abandoned nests of chaliks and other birds are still hanging from the branches. All fast food-like foods are being made under trees.
The restaurant has to be climbed up by the stairs mounted on the trees. There are chairs and tables for sitting. Five-six college going teenagers were seen sitting on the tree and having fun. But there is no chirping of birds in the trees.
A student of Jhenaidah Govt. KC College, who did not disclose his name, said that they came here after seeing it on Facebook. The place looks good. But the restaurant on this tree will damage the tree. The normal growth of the plant will be hindered. He also said, this tree provides shade, there are many species of birds; But as a hotel is built here, everything will go wrong.
However, Shiuli Khatun, a resident of Chaklapara in Jhenaidah, is excited to come to the restaurant. He told Prothom Alo, ‘I could not imagine that something like this would happen in our area. Ayanal Hossain of Holidhani area said that it is good to sit and eat under the branches of trees along with fair price food.
However, Mizanur Rahman, District Convenor of the Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Committee commented that it was not right to build a restaurant in this century-old banyan tree. He claims that the tree will slowly die. Because, here people are moving for food, throwing garbage under trees, cooking, trimming tree branches to make them useful, tying bamboo sticks to the branches to prevent the tree from growing. Apart from that, the birds that used to live in the trees will be forced to move due to human traffic. The plant will not be allowed to grow as it normally would.
Abir Hasan is one of the entrepreneurs of the restaurant. He said, after passing HSC, he used to work in a garment shop in Dakbangla Bazar in Jhenaidah. After a few days, he built this restaurant from the thoughts that came to his mind. He started the work by choosing a century-old banyan tree at one end of Abdar Molla’s land in Ghordah village.
Claiming that he was not doing anything to damage the trees, Abir Hasan further said that the place was unclean. They cleaned it and made a restaurant there. Three rooms have been made below for those who come to eat food. There is also a seating area under the tree. Many are sitting there eating, while many are looking up and coming down to eat.
Abdul Hakim, a member of Ward No. 9 of the local Kapashhatia Union Parishad, said that they built this restaurant before the last Ramadan Eid, and it is still running. When asked whether there is any damage to the trees, he said that they are not seeing any damage at the moment.
However, Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Jhenaidah Forest Department, said that it was not right to do this in any way. This will cause serious damage to the tree. He said, they had never heard or seen a restaurant on a tree before. That is why there is no opportunity to take action against them under the Forest Department Act. However, he said that he will inform the district administration officials about the matter.
In this regard, the assistant director of the Department of Environment Jhenaidah. Muntasir Rahman said, trees are not a place of entertainment. These trees give us oxygen, birds make nests, people take advantage of the wood. He commented that they will lose the opportunity.
Rathindra Nath Roy, deputy director of local government department of Jhenaidah district administration, said whether the tree fell on private land or government land will be investigated.
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