There have been complaints of cutting trees in various parts of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology-SUST campus without the permission of the Forest Department. Four large and medium-sized trees were uprooted on the road between the university’s Basketball Ground and the Medical Centre. Besides, some trees were cut.
Earlier, the students complained that branches of trees were cut in various places including the one Kilo Road of the campus.
Again on Friday (May 5) at noon, trees were seen felled on the road adjacent to the campus Medical Center.
The head of the university’s Estate Branch and Professor of Forestry and Environmental Department Romel Ahmad said that mainly trees and tree branches were cut to avoid accidents. He told the media that the trees that were cut were ‘hollow inside’. It can collapse anytime in a storm. So they are cut. Besides, some more damaged trees will be cut on the one Kilo Road to avoid storm accidents.
AZM Tamarinul Hasan, assistant registrar of the university in charge of the estate branch, said that the forest department has advised to cut down the trees infested with mosquitoes. Four Acacia trees of the university have been cut.
However, Sylhet District Forest Office Range Officer Shahidullah said that no permission was taken from the SUST administration to cut trees.
It may be noted that, 45,000 trees have been planted in the last two years with the help of the forest department. If necessary, re-planting will be done where the damaged trees have been cut.
