Eleven valuable trees along the embankment of a government-owned pond were sold in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj without permission from the authorities.The incident occurred in the Tarail Boro Math area of Fokra union.
According to locals, 11 trees of various species, including deodar, uriam, koroi and latim, stood along the embankment of the government khas pond beside Tarail Boro Math. Local resident Sohel Molla allegedly sold the trees to villager Ripon Sheikh for Tk25,000.
The matter came to light on Wednesday morning when Ripon Sheikh arrived at the site with workers to cut down the trees. Local residents stopped the tree felling and informed the upazila administration.
Later, a land office official visited the site and recovered seven trees that had already been felled. The remaining four trees were left standing.
Sohel Molla denied selling the trees. Speaking over the phone, he said, “I have taken the pond on lease. I was asked to clear the weeds along the pond embankment as new trees would be planted there under a government initiative. But Ripon cut down the large trees.”
However, Ripon Sheikh said he had purchased the 11 trees from Sohel for Tk25,000.“I came with workers to cut down the trees. We had cut seven when the tahsildar arrived and stopped us,” he said.
Nazmul Hasan, assistant land officer of Fokra union, said, “No one has the authority to cut down trees without permission. After receiving the information, I went to the spot and recovered seven felled trees. The remaining four have not been cut. A report has been submitted to the higher authorities.”
Kashiani Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Shaheen Mia confirmed the incident.“The assistant commissioner (land) informed me about the matter. The felled trees have been ordered to be seized by the union land assistant officer. The incident will be investigated and legal action will be taken accordingly,” he said.
