In Gazipur’s Cotton Development Board farm, over fifty century-old trees are being cut down, sparking outrage among environmentalists in the district.
On Thursday, 13 to 14 trees were cut down over the day.
The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated land within the farm in Bhabanipur, located in Gazipur Sadar Upazila, to the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) to set up a gamma radiation experimental centre.
For this purpose, 54 century-old trees on the allocated land are being removed.
Farid Mia, an official at BINA, said: "We have acquired the land from the Ministry of Agriculture to establish BINA's regional research centre, funded by the World Bank. The centre will utilize gamma radiation to treat perishable agricultural products for export, enhancing their shelf life.
“As part of this setup, we are removing 54 trees of various species from within the boundary, with permission from the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Divison of the Forest Department."
Sources from BINA confirmed that on October 16, a public auction was announced for the sale of 54 trees, including 41 jackfruit trees, nine mango trees, one cotton tree, and three palm trees surrounding the future research center in Bhabanipur.
Later, Warehouse Officer And Auction Committee Secretary Saiful Islam issued the work order for cutting the trees, which began Thursday morning.
Hassan Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon in Gazipur, commented on the felling of these old trees, calling it distressing.
He added: “The authorities should have considered how to implement the project without cutting down the trees.”
Khan further mentioned, “As far as I know, there is a process for tree-cutting approval. A committee, with the deputy commissioner as president and the Divisional Forest Officer as member secretary, grants permission. It’s unclear how this committee granted approval.”
Mozammel Hossain, assistant Forest conservator in Gazipur’s Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, said: “This is a priority project of the Ministry of Agriculture, so we are permitted to cut down 54 trees.”
Anwarul Islam, gamma radiation experimental officer at BINA, said: “We have been allocated 22.5 acres for this critical government project, with the gamma radiation centre set up on 3 acres and the research centre on the remaining land. The area will be restricted for radiation work, enhancing the preservation of agricultural products.
“For example, radiating potatoes can extend their shelf life by upto six months. Unfortunately, the project could not proceed without removing the trees, so they are being cut down according to the required regulations.”
