3 valuable mahogany trees were openly cut down on the side of the government road in Bagatipara

Public anger over the mysterious silence of the administration

In Bagatipara upazila of Natore there have been incidents of open and planned attacks on government property. In Chakgoash Maraghati area of ​​the upazila—three valuable government-owned mahogany trees standing on the side of the main road from Ekdala Bazar to the side of UP Parishad leading to Takinagar Ideal School have been openly and completely illegally felled.
According to locals, the trees along this important road used for public traffic were cut down without any administrative permission in complete disregard of the Environmental Protection Act and prevailing government regulations. Although the incident took place in broad daylight, there is intense anger, anxiety and frustration in the area due to no immediate action taken by the administration.
According to the reliable and verified information received, Mozahar Hossain (father—Munsur Rahman) has been accused of direct involvement in this illegal tree cutting. There are also local allegations that Rajan alias Rubab (father—deceased Hannan, Chakgoash) was involved in the same incident as an accomplice. Local residents claim that the accused have successfully completed this task of looting government resources by using influence and administrative weakness.
Since no visible administrative action has yet been taken after the incident, the question among the conscious circles is—but is the law different for the influential? According to local environmentalists and conscious citizens, cutting down trees along government roads is a legally punishable offence. Such activities are not only destroying the environment, but also creating a dire disaster for the future generations by disrupting the climate balance.
Local residents said that the matter has already been brought to the attention of the concerned administration. They demanded immediate spot inspection, impartial and transparent investigation, exemplary legal action against the accused and strict vigilance and effective operation to prevent illegal felling of trees along government roads in future.A clear warning to the local residents – if quick and visible measures are not taken, the issue will be more widely and consistently highlighted in the media in the public interest. Otherwise, the silence and indifference of the administration will give rise to deep dissatisfaction and mistrust among the conscious citizens.