Authorities halted a plan to cut nearly 2,000 trees along the Gabkhan River in Jhalkathi after protests and a High Court intervention, raising concerns over biodiversity and environmental safeguards today.
Authorities have temporarily suspended plans to cut nearly 2,000 trees along the banks of the Gabkhan River in Jhalkathi Sadar Upazila following protests by environmental activists and intervention from the High Court.
The tree felling, initiated last week by the local Forest Department under a tendered contract, had already removed around 120 trees along a four-kilometer stretch of the old riverbank road. The trees include valuable species such as Raj Koroi, Arjun, Shishu, Tula, Neem and Babla. Internal sources indicate that the project could ultimately affect up to 2,350 trees.
The initiative was linked to a riverbank protection project by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), aimed at reinforcing the riverbank with blocks along the old road. Local environmentalists argue that the riverside itself offers sufficient space for the project, making the felling of mature trees unnecessary.
Environmental activist and journalist Ismail Musafir first highlighted the issue on social media, prompting formal requests to the district administration to halt the tree cutting. Senior Supreme Court lawyer and Chair of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, Advocate Manzil Murshed, also intervened, citing a High Court ruling by Justices Fahmida Kader and Asif.
Advocate Murshed said, “According to the High Court’s directives, tree cutting cannot proceed without the recommendation of a committee that includes environmental experts. Decisions made without assessing environmental impacts are legally and environmentally unsustainable.”
“This area is home to over 100 bird species and numerous rare reptiles,” added senior lawyer and environmentalist Nasir Uddin Kabir. “The site’s rich biodiversity cannot be compromised by indiscriminate tree cutting.”
Deputy Commissioner Md. Momin Uddin instructed the Forest Department’s acting officer, Zakirul Haq, to immediately halt all tree felling operations. Authorities have committed to reviewing the project with environmental considerations at the forefront before taking any further action.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, reacted to the suspension, stating, “The Gabkhan River and its surrounding trees are not just part of the local scenery. They are vital for biodiversity, climate resilience and the community’s wellbeing.”
He added, “We welcome the decision to halt tree cutting, but authorities must ensure that all future interventions prioritize environmental protection and include expert guidance.”
