The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Khagrachhari’s Panchhari upazila has been accused of breaching rules by cutting down trees on the parishad premises.
Despite laws stating that trees planted by the government or as part of social forestation require an evaluation and auction by the Forest Department before being cut down, the Panchhari UNO did not follow these rules, according to sources.
Many old trees on the parishad premises have been cut down and taken to saw mills to be turned into furniture by the UNO.
Local eyewitnesses said 20-25 trees, including teak and mahogany, were cut down in April. The majority of these trees were at least 20-30 years old.
Eyewitness Mohon said when he came to the upazila office in late April, he saw many trees being cut down.
“Before, people seeking the service of the office could rest under the shade of the trees. Given the rampant illegal deforestation that is ongoing, administrative figures carrying out such acts will only encourage the criminals,” he said.
Another local said the locals would not know who to turn to when they wanted to report unlawful deforestation if the authorities themselves are cutting down trees.
Panchhari Range Forest Department Ranger Mosharraf Hossain said: “The trees in the upazila parishad premises are government property. If for any reason they need to be cut down, the Forest Department must be notified with the reason, after which an evaluation of the tree and its wood will be made. However, this UNO has not followed due process, to the best of my knowledge.”
Panchhari UNO Abul Hashem admitted to having the trees cut down, saying: “The trees have been cut down for the needs of the Parishad. We will be building a room for service seekers, and some furniture for the hall. The Forest Department ranger and Upazila Parishad Chairman Sarbottom Chakma were verbally informed of the matter.”
As UP Chairman Sarbottom Chakma is in hiding due to the unstable situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he could not be reached for comment.