The police have thwarted an attempt by a group of environmental activists, under the banner of "Satmasjid Sarak Gach Rakkha Andalan," from surrounding Nagar Bhaban, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, to press home their demand for an end to tree felling on Dhanmondi's Satmasjid Road as part of a beautification project.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneProtestors had been gathering at Shahbagh's Doel Chattar since Sunday morning with a march commencing at 11:15am going towards Nagar Bhaban in Gulistan.
However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police blocked the protestors with barricades at the Bangabazar intersection.
The protesters chanted slogans as they expressed their complaints and demanded a meeting with DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThe group's demands centre on halting tree felling in public spaces, particularly on Satmasjid Road, in the name of development.
They are calling for the planting of diverse, indigenous trees to replace those that have been cut down.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThe activists are also demanding an end to corruption masked as tree trading, the adoption of nature-centric planning in urban development, and the implementation of specific policies for the protection of trees and city residents.
They later withdrew from the place at around 1:15pm after DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman assured them of addressing their grievances.
He told them the trees were cut down as part of the DSCC's development and beautification efforts, before saying the protesters' complaints will be relayed to the mayor and the necessary measures will be taken.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi's Arif Nur, one of the demonstrators, said they will continue to hold protests until their demands are met.
