Nearly 200 trees planted under a government afforestation programme were uprooted during embankment repairs in Patuakhali, triggering allegations of rule violations, financial losses and irregular coordination between agencies.
Nearly 200 trees planted about 30 years ago were allegedly uprooted in the name of embankment and road repair in Patuakhali’s Mirzaganj upazila, with local residents accusing the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the contractor involved of causing financial losses to beneficiaries and tree owners.
Residents said the trees were uprooted with excavators during repair work on the embankment, allegedly in violation of rules and under political influence. They said the felling not only harmed beneficiaries but also deprived the government of potential revenue and environment.
A visit to the area found repair work under way along the embankment on the bank of the Srimanta River in North Jhatibunia village under Amragachia union. Nearly 200 trees of different species, including mahogany, rain tree and chambal, had been uprooted along the roadside from Kismat Jhatibunia to North Jhatibunia. The trees were seen lying beside the road and on cropland.
According to the Forest Department and local sources, the Water Development Board carried out an afforestation programme on the embankment in 1996, with local residents included as beneficiaries. Repair work is now under way on part of the roughly eight-kilometre embankment stretch from Kathaltali to Mohishkata, covering about 1,100 metres. Local beneficiaries said the uprooted trees had an estimated market value of around 600,000 taka.
Local resident and beneficiary Liton Hawlader said the trees had been planted nearly three decades ago with support from the Forest Department and had now reached a stage where they were suitable for sale.
“But the contractor of the Water Development Board uprooted the trees without any notice. We tried to stop them but they did not listen,” he said.
Jalilur Rahman, president of the beneficiary committee under the Green Afforestation Project, said the community had maintained the trees since they were planted.
“A contracting firm uprooted around 200 large trees while carrying out embankment repairs. I and other beneficiaries tried to stop them but they ignored us. Later we informed the Forest Department. But the uprooting did not stop,” he said.
Mirzaganj upozila Forest Officer Moniruzzaman said the Forest Department had asked the Water Development Board for time so the trees could be cut or removed through a tender process, but the agency did not allow that time and instead had the contractor uproot them, which he described as irregular.
He said a proposal for the tender process had now been sent to the district committee and the next steps would be taken once approval was received and the tender procedure completed.
Responding to the allegation, contractor Mizanur Rahman Sohag Mridha said work had begun on the instructions of the Water Development Board.
“If they tell us to stop, the work will be stopped,” he said.
Patuakhali Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakib said the agency had formally requested the Forest Department three months ago to take action regarding the trees for the embankment repair work, but the department had yet to take effective measures.
He said the area was vulnerable and flood-prone and that the monsoon season was approaching, making fast repairs necessary. However, he said the contractor had been told that no more trees should be uprooted or damaged from now on.
