Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Md Atiqul Islam has warned that strict action will be taken against anyone who cuts trees without permission.

The DNCC mayor said this as chief guest at the launch on Friday afternoon, 2 June, at Hatirjheel in the capital, of 'Let's Save the Planet', a nationwide plastic waste removal campaign organised by PRAN-RFL.

The mayor said: "My position on trees is clear. I have said again and again that there will be no leniency for cutting trees. I have ordered that development work be done without cutting the existing trees along the roads. I learnt that a contractor cut down several trees while building a road divider at Mirpur's Technical crossing. As the contractor cut the trees in defiance of the city corporation's instructions, he has been blacklisted at DNCC. In addition, two engineers involved in the project have been suspended. This step is a strong message to all contractors and everyone involved in various projects. No development by cutting trees."

He said that if any person or organisation wants to cut a tree for an urgent need, they must inform the city corporation. "We will give approval where possible after consulting environmentalists, urban planners and everyone concerned. No tree can be cut in the DNCC area without approval."

The mayor added: "We ourselves are responsible for damaging the environment, and now the environment is taking its revenge. It does not rain even in the monsoon. There is intense heat across the country. Dhaka city in particular has become a heat island. Heat is a silent killer. To save Dhaka we must save the environment."

Urging city dwellers to plant trees, Mayor Atiqul Islam said trees must be planted wherever possible. "Many may say there is no space in Dhaka to plant trees. The city corporation has started planting trees along canal banks, on road dividers and on footpaths. Alongside cleaning and greening, I am giving importance to feeding. Fruit trees will be planted along canal banks so that people can eat the fruit. I have taken a list of trees for road medians and footpaths from horticulture and forest department officials. Trees on which birds can perch will be planted along the footpaths."

Among others present were PRAN Group managing director Eliyas Mridha, RFL Group managing director RN Paul, PRAN-RFL Group marketing director Kamruzzaman Kamal and Tel Plastics executive director Kamrul Hasan.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.