No sanction for cutting down 100-year-old tree in Sundarganj to reduce risk

Sundarganj (Gaibandha) Representative:

In order to reduce the risk to the passengers, the traditional centenary surviving raintree and shimul tree stalks are being cut without any hindrance. No one is caring about the permission of the senior officer or the rules and regulations. As a result, on the one hand, the beauty of nature is being destroyed in the name of development, on the other hand, the Panyats are looting state resources. The incident took place at Bamandanga railway station in Gaibandha’s Sundarganj upazila. However, the locals claim that there is no objection to cutting the pulses if necessary. But it has to be subject to the approval of the concerned authorities. So that state resources are not looted. Railway Lalmonirhat Division sources said that the construction work of the second class modern platform has started at Bamandanga railway station. Work is underway to increase and lengthen the length of the main platform. Expenditure on the work has been estimated at one crore forty three lakh fifty six thousand eight hundred rupees. But in the new design, the platform development of the station under construction is facing obstacles. So the engineer in charge of the work is cutting the stalks of those trees to reduce the risk to the passengers. Talking to the locals on the spot, it is learned that Abdur Razzak, Senior Deputy Assistant Engineer (Works) of Bamandanga, is trying to cut the stalks of these traditional trees and sell them without any permission. Locals alleged that an influential local syndicate was secretly cutting down valuable tree branches. On the west side of the station, the stalks of these valuable raintree trees, which have witnessed history and tradition since British times, are being cut down. Although no decision or written order has been issued by the railway department. Assistant Engineer Abdur Razzak is abusing his power and colluding with the local syndicate. Thick raw stalks of 4 raintree trees have been cut off for several days. At the same time, the cycle has completely cut down 2 Shimul trees. Locals also said that some of the stalks were being smuggled at night from the place where the stalks were kept. An official of the railway department, who did not want to be named, complained that the department had not taken permission to cut down the raintree trees adjacent to the Bamandanga railway station. Senior Deputy Assistant Engineer (Works) Abdur Razzak has indiscriminately cut the raw thick branches of the raintree tree on his own responsibility and is keeping the thick branches of the tree in his custody. Ismail Hossain Mukti, general secretary of the Bamandanga Union Jatiya Party, said no permission had been taken before cutting the branches. However, after cutting, the branches are numbered. Bamandanga UP chairman Nazmul Huda said the tree survives on stalks. If it is cut down, the tree cannot survive. And even if it survives, the tree loses its beauty. It’s not right in any way. Moreover, cutting should be done subject to the approval of the concerned authorities. Bamandanga Senior Deputy Assistant Engineer (Works) Abdur Razzak said there was no chance of looting any of the cut tree stalks. All are numbered. Written approval is not required before pruning. However, my superior authorities have been informed about the matter verbally. In response to another question, he said that a dead shimul tree has been cut down. That too is preserved. Abdur Razzak also said that the process of selling the preserved tree branches and chalk is going on. He could not be found after contacting the Bangladesh Railway Lalmonirhat Divisional Engineer on his mobile phone more than once.