Nearly 500,000 banned Eucalyptus and Akashmoni seedlings remain in Chittagong nurseries as funding gaps stall destruction, raising concerns over soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and biodiversity loss across coastal districts.
Nearly half a million seedlings of the fast-growing Eucalyptus and Akashmoni trees remain in nurseries across Chittagong despite a government ban on their production and sale. Limited funding has prevented authorities from fully destroying the stocks and this is sparking fears about their impact on soil health, water resources and local biodiversity.
The Bangladeshi government has been intensifying efforts to ban the production, planting and sale of two fast-growing tree species, Acacia auriculiformis (Akashmoni) and Eucalyptus, citing serious environmental and biodiversity risks.
First prohibited in May 2025, these species are widely known for absorbing large amounts of groundwater, degrading soil quality and outcompeting native vegetation. Experts warn that if left unchecked, their spread could threaten fragile ecosystems and undermine Bangladesh’s commitments to national and international biodiversity goals.
Despite the ban, about 500,000 seedlings remain in nurseries across Chittagong because of limited funding for complete destruction. Other coastal districts also report leftover stocks including Cox’s Bazar with 235,710 seedlings, Noakhali with 112,730, Feni with 850 and Lakshmipur with 7,000.
The Ministry of Agriculture issued destruction orders in June 2025 for nearly 9.38 million seedlings, offering nursery owners compensation of 4 Bangladeshi Taka per seedling with a total allocation of 37.6 million Taka. However funding gaps meant that not all seedlings could be removed.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Chittagong, said that Akashmoni and Eucalyptus are harmful to the environment and that authorities are working closely with nurseries to halt production and sales. He noted that even with limited funds many owners have been persuaded to destroy seedlings but additional incentives will be necessary to eliminate remaining stocks.
The government says it will continue regular monitoring and strengthen enforcement to prevent hidden production or stockpiling an issue raised by environmentalists. Experts are also calling for higher compensation to ensure full compliance and reduce resistance among nursery operators.
These measures are intended to protect native forests improve soil and water conservation and safeguard biodiversity. Analysts say the initiative reflects Bangladesh’s broader commitment to sustainable forestry and environmental protection while also highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing ecological priorities with the livelihoods of small nursery owners.
