Both Dhaka city corporations seem to be unable to undertake development projects without removing trees. Despite protests against tree removal by Dhaka South City Corporation, its northern counterpart is also pursuing development at the cost of greenery.
Hundreds of trees on the median strip of Mohakhali-Gulshan Road have been removed for expansion, contradicting DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam's recent promise to plant two lakh trees. Over six months, DNCC has cut down trees for a 1.7km median strip project.
Not only does this have a negative environmental impact, but DNCC's actions also breach existing laws. Sources within the forest department claim that city authorities are removing trees without the required permission.
Although Section 5 of the Forest Product Transit Rules-2011 mandates approval from the Divisional Forest Officer for tree removal, city authorities proceeded without obtaining the necessary permissions. The forest department did not intervene when DNCC workers cut down trees near their office.
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Buet recently stated that Dhaka requires 20% green space, but currently has less than 8.5%. DNCC has spent nearly Tk 22 crore on development under the "Traffic Infrastructure Development and Road Safety" project, which has been extended until June 30 this year.
During a recent visit, the correspondent observed the loss of numerous trees due to ongoing renovation work on the road island in front of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital. About 150 trees remain on the 1.7km median strip, with over half at risk due to the renovation work.
Google Street View and local residents indicate that there were nearly 300 trees on the Mohakhali-Gulshan Road median strip. Construction workers and locals claim that trees were removed to make the new median strip more convenient.
Residents near Mohakhali-Gulshan Road are upset by DNCC's actions. A local, Mahbubul Huq, expressed disappointment, saying the mayor's pledge to plant trees seemed like empty words.
Joney Enterprise, the project's contractor, denies cutting down trees but admits that some trees were removed by DNCC due to safety concerns during construction. A forest official, speaking anonymously, said they did not receive any application from DNCC nor grant permission for tree removal.
DNCC's chief executive officer, Selim Reza, acknowledged that some trees might have been removed due to risks during construction but avoided questions about obtaining permission from the forest department.
Sharif Jamil, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, and Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), both criticized the unnecessary tree removal and called for a change in perspective for those involved in development projects.
BDST: 1241 HRS, JUN 03, 2023
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