75 species of trees cut down in five years at RU
Jahidul Islam, RU
The Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have cut down 75 species of trees at the Jubery playground in the past five days in the name of infrastructure uplift, power development and beautification. Most of the trees have been cut down during vacation, fearing agitation and criticism by teachers, students and environmentalists.
Environmentalists have expressed serious concern over the issue. Students and teachers have posted on social media, urging the authorities to refrain from such activities. Despite the agitation, the authorities kept cutting the trees. Around 412 old trees have been felled in different parts of the campus over the last three years.
Sources said that following three separate tender notices, around 75 old trees were sold for Tk 5.20 lakh on December 26. Among them, 22 have been sold to Azizul Hoque, a resident of Kazla on the second block of the campus, for Tk 1.22 lakh. Azizul paid the money to Agrani Bank by a cheque. The rest of the 53 trees were sold to Anuwar Hossain, a resident of Meherchondhi of the first and third block on the campus.
All the trees near the universitys Kazla entrance have been cut down to build a four-storey building of the Sheikh Ruassel Model School.
I bought the trees following proper procedures. Thats why the trees were cut, claimed Azizul Hoque.
Sources say that following a tender notice given on February 12, signed by the agricultural project officer, 15 old trees and a mango tree had been sold to a local resident, Milon, who paid Tk. 115,000 by a cheque to the university the next day.
On February 22, a few workers, led by Rafiqul Islam and Kamal, all employees of Milon, had cut down the 60-year-old mango tree in front of the university central cafeteria.
Rafiqul also told The Independent that they would cut down more than 14 old trees at different parts of the campus. Students have expressed concern on social media over the cutting down of big and old trees.
An employee of the agricultural project said the university had sold the tress following proper procedures.
Even a bill was passed in this regard in RUs highest policymaking syndicate meeting, he added.
Emran Ali, director of the RU Agriculture project, said the trees on the campus were being felled as per the decision of the university beautification committee.
Asked whether any new tree was being planted, Ali claimed as many as 2500 trees are planted each year.
Though this campus has been declared a bird sanctuary, the number of bird nests keeps declining day by day. The biodiversity of the campus is facing a serious crisis.
Sources also said the entire campus was earlier surrounded by various types of trees and there are as many as 1213 lakes. These waterbodies have been excellent habitats for migratory birds that come in thousands from distant places. But of late, migratory birds are being not seen on the campus due to indiscriminate felling of tress on the campus.
The university authorities, however, cited the need for more buildings for a rising number of students every year. They said the felling of trees was essential to create space for new buildings.
Prof. Enamul Hoque, head of the psychology department, said: Around 20 teachers of the campus met vice-chancellor Prof. M Abdus Sobhan and requested him to stop the felling of trees. He, however, didnt pay heed to our appeal.
Pro-vice chancellor Prof. Chawdhury Md Zakaria said: Were trying its best to make the campus green. Those trees which have been cut down were creating problem for students. The 75 eucalyptus trees which have been cut down would have had an adverse impact on the environment.
