‘Tree Lover’ faces forest case after rejecting alleged Tk50,000 bribe demand

Villagers say the disputed plot is a decades-old playground where Lutfar Rahman planted mango saplings, challenging the Forest Department’s claim that trees were cut and paddy planted.

A court case filed by Bangladesh’s Forest Department against a man known locally as a “tree lover” has sparked controversy in Birampur of Dinajpur district, after residents alleged that a forest official demanded Tk50,000 in bribes from him for planting trees on forest land.

Local people alleged that the case was filed after Lutfar Rahman refused to pay the money demanded by the official of the local forest beat. The case accuses him of cutting down trees and planting paddy on the land. His two college-going sons were also named as accused.

A visit to plot No. 5662 in South Shahabazpur mouza found that the place identified in the case as the site where trees were allegedly cut and paddy was planted was being used for a local football tournament. Residents said the site had been a village playground for more than three decades and that there had never been any Forest Department trees there.

Two years ago, Lutfar Rahman planted 20 mango saplings around the field after receiving them from the local agriculture office, residents said. Spectators now watch football matches while sitting under the shade of those trees.

Local sources said Rahman, a truck driver from South Shahabazpur village under Khanpur union of Birampur upazila, has long planted trees at his own expense along roads, in open spaces and on government land during his free time. Over the past decade, he has planted more than 5,000 fruit and timber trees.

Rahman said he planted the mango saplings beside the football field in January 2024 after receiving them from the agriculture office and consulting local public representatives.

Three months later, he said, Prayagpur Beat Officer Mahamudar Rahman called him to the office and demanded Tk50,000. When he refused to pay, the official filed a case against him before being transferred, accusing him of cutting trees and planting paddy on 20 decimals of land.

“The place where I am accused of planting paddy is about three feet higher than the surrounding land. Paddy cultivation is not possible there,” Rahman said. “I planted government trees on government land, yet I and my two sons have been implicated in a false case.”

Bakul Hossain, referee of the football tournament, said the land had long been used as a playground.

“People have played here since the time of our ancestors. There were no Forest Department trees here. Lutfar Rahman planted the mango trees beside the field,” he said.

Local resident Abdul Hakim said it was difficult to believe Rahman would cut down trees.

“Lutfar Rahman cutting trees is something that cannot be believed. He is always the one who comes forward to protect trees,” he said.

Chitta Ranjan Shaha, chairman of Khanpur Union Parishad, a local government body, said Rahman had consulted him before planting the trees beside the football field.

“I later came to know that a case had been filed against him for stealing trees,” he said.

Asked about the allegation, former Prayagpur Beat Officer Mahamudar Rahman said, “The matter is under trial in court. It will be discussed in court.”

He then disconnected the phone call.

Anwarul Islam, Charkai Range Officer of the Forest Department in Birampur, said he joined the station four months ago and did not know the details of the earlier incident.

“As the matter is under trial in court, it will be settled in court,” he said.