Since the protests against the sentence handed down to war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee on February 28, the activists of the opposition BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir have destroyed around 40,000 trees across the country during hartal and blockade programmes.
They chopped down around 15,000 roadside trees in the past two months, during the opposition’s blockade programmes enforced in demand for a non-partisan polls-time government.
Environment and Forests Minister Hassan Mahmud disclosed the information at his office yesterday.
Earlier, Australian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Greg Wilcock held a meeting with the minister at his office.
Hassan Mahmud said: “The diplomat expressed concern on the prevailing political unrest and violence all over the country. He urged the government to find a solution through discussions with the opposition, and to hold a free and fair election. I briefed him on the situation. When we amended the constitution, we had invited the opposition to give their opinion. But, they did not join the dialogue,” he said.
Terming the attacks “activities like those of a banned political party,” the minister said: “The prime minister has already made an announcement on the dissolution of the 10th parliament followed by fresh polls, if the opposition comes to a compromise.”
But, the opposition has declared a war against the people and trees of the country, avoiding the proposal of the premier, he added.
The minister urged conservationists to raise their voice against such mindless tree felling.
When asked about the action of the government against such activities, he said: “Cases have been filed against the saboteurs who cut down the trees. Tough action will be taken against them.”