DU community protests felling of century old trees to build police quarters

Teachers and students of Dhaka University yesterday protested the government's plan to build a 22 storey residential building for the police force in the university's property.

They demanded immediate action to save the area, from a human chain near Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall of DU.

Later, the protesters submitted a memorandum to Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique at his office.

Aashfaque Ahmad, a professor of botany, said, "The police force was allowed to build a temporary camp in Babupara residential area of DU but they have planned a 22 storey building here and cut some trees that were bearing history of the university for many years.

"We will not allow any building in the area that spoils the sound environment of DU."

He said such a move would destroy the natural beauty of the university, eliminate the living space of birds, and affect the local wildlife.

Dr Fahmidul Hoque, a teacher of mass communication and journalism, and Ahmed Bashir, a teacher of English, among others, took part in the protest. Around 10-12 trees have been chopped off since Tuesday night, of which at least three were hundred years old.

Students feared that any permanent establishment of any other organisation in the university area would be a threat to them.