An organised group has allegedly been cutting down government-owned trees under the cover of darkness in Dhunat upazila of Bogra for the past two years.
The group has been felling trees along a 10km stretch of paved road from Dhunat upazila headquarters to Jorashimul in Chikashi Union and taking away the logs, according to local residents.
Police have conducted several drives and recovered logs from different locations, but no one has been arrested so far.
The repeated felling of trees has sparked anger among local residents.
The government planted trees of various species on both sides of the road around 12 years ago. Many of them have been cut down over the past two years, mostly at night.
Locals said an organised group from the area was involved in the tree felling. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they alleged that the suspects often received advance information about police operations and fled before officers arrived, leaving behind branches and logs.
Dhunat police station Officer-in-Charge Atiqul Islam said police had identified several people allegedly involved in the tree felling.
“Discussions have been held with officials of the Forest Department and the upazila administration. Preparations are under way to file a case and conduct drives to arrest the suspects,” he said.
Dhunat Upazila Forest Officer Abdul Rahim said discussions were under way with the upazila administration over the matter.
“A list of those involved will be disclosed. A case will be filed and the suspects will be arrested after discussions with senior officials,” he said.
Dhunat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arif Ullah Nizami said an organised group was behind the tree felling.
“The people involved will be identified quickly and steps will be taken to file a case against them,”
