Official Documents Contradict Claims Over Authorization of Century-Old Tree Felling in Nilphamari
A controversial initiative to fell 33 century-old trees at the Syedpur Railway Colony in Nilphamari has been abandoned following intervention from the Prime Minister's Office. The project, which drew widespread public outcry, was initially defended by officials as a necessary safety measure, but internal government documents have since revealed a conflicting narrative regarding the motive for the clearing.
On June 11, Nurul Islam, the divisional forest officer for the Rangpur social forestry division, signed an order authorizing the removal of the trees, which included species such as banyan, neem, raintree, and jackfruit. While authorities later claimed the trees were being cleared due to risks of collapsing on nearby structures, the official approval document cited "maturity, financial/utilization value, and environmental significance" as the primary justifications for their removal.
The documents further detailed a valuation of the trees at approximately 615,396 taka and included instructions for forest officials to follow specific transport regulations for the timber once felled. When questioned about the discrepancy between his public defense and the bureaucratic paperwork, Islam insisted he had only labeled the trees as "felling-worthy" rather than explicitly approving their destruction, though he offered no explanation for the detailed logistics included in the signed order.
The decision to clear the historic trees sparked significant backlash after a report by Prothom Alo highlighted the environmental loss. Observers, including Begum Rokeya University professor Tuhin Wadud, noted that while a few dead trees might warrant removal, the majority of the century-old canopy appeared healthy and posed no immediate threat. Experts argued that instead of clear-cutting, the railway authorities should have considered scientific preservation methods—such as structural bracing, cabling, or pruning—to extend the lifespan of these historic specimens.
Railways officials confirmed that following directives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the felling operation was formally canceled. Senior Assistant Engineer Tahidul Islam maintained that some trees remain in poor condition and prone to falling, but noted that the department is now shifting its focus toward planting 5,000 saplings during the current monsoon season.
The trees are considered vital living remnants of the Syedpur railway hub, which dates back to 1870. As the industrial site was developed under British administration, the surrounding town was meticulously planned with extensive greenery that has survived for over a century.
The incident occurs amid a broader national conversation regarding the environmental impact of infrastructure projects. Research by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) indicates that roughly 1.3 million trees have been cleared for various government projects across Bangladesh between March 2023 and April 2025. Botanists emphasize that such mature trees are essential components of the ecosystem and, with proper maintenance, many species—such as banyans—can survive for centuries, providing critical ecological services that cannot be replicated by new plantations.
