Biodiversity in serious jeopardy

Chunti, an area in Lohagora upazilla that received the UN 'Equator' prize as a unique example of preserving biodiversity has been taking the brunt of Jamaat's tea-cutting orgy. The situation has literally become dire with trees as old as 150 years being felled indiscriminately. We are at a loss as to why such practice is being encouraged. The destruction of such ancient trees cannot be condoned by a political party or its student wing for the purposes of setting up road blocks. Such destruction of natural resources is not without method. Going by press reports, more than 5,300 trees of various vintages have been felled on both sides of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. When trees that date more than a hundred years are cut and laid out, it takes authorities many days to remove it and free up this vital road link.
Yet, the loss of such magnificent trees is a loss for the environment, one that simply cannot be grown back overnight. Forest department authorities have not ruled out the connivance of forest officials in such dastardly acts. What is happening is Chunti is particularly worrisome. Jamaat goons have cut down one of the 485 teak wood trees, some that date back a hundred years or more. Are we then to understand the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing the Shibir have neither any knowledge nor respect for the environment and heritage sites? We strongly urge the authorities deal with such irresponsible behaviour with an iron hand.