Despite widespread criticism by green activists against felling of trees in the name of development, at least 200 trees were cut down in Sylhet city’s Shahjalal suburb in the last couple of weeks. The trees were chopped away reportedly with no clearance from the Forest Department, and the local councillor of Sylhet City Corporation sold those without holding any auction, which is unlawful. Media report published in a national daily on Thursday said that on October 20, environmentalists saved an old tree from being chopped down by the corporation in the Chowhatta area. Last month, corporation people cut down at least five old trees on the city’s Electric Supply Road.
According to the city corporation, it felled 332 trees in the last five years, while data showed that at least 873 trees were cut down. Even now, the corporation keeps on felling trees. The development works include expansion of roads and construction of drainage lines. Locals and green activists have termed the felling of trees as a clear violation of laws. As per the forest rules, any authority or individual must apply to the Divisional Forest Office for clearance to fell trees, and the forest office gives permission only if it is absolutely necessary.
It may be noted that in protection of the environment and biodiversity, Bangladesh last year ranked 162 out of 180 countries in the world. Environmental Performance Index, in a joint study conducted by Yale and Columbia Universities, took into cognizance 10 factors for the ranking, such as, air quality, water supply and sewerage, harmful heavy metals, biodiversity and habitat, forestry, fisheries, climate and energy, air pollution, water resources and agriculture. Article 18 (A) of our Constitution states that the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to preserve and safeguard the natural resources, bio-diversity, wetlands, forests and wildlife for the present and future citizens. Our cities need more green cover, and trees which do more than just adding beauty to roads. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, they produce the much needed oxygen to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide and work as lungs in cities.
