Large teak tree felled and stolen from Lawachara National Park

A large teak tree along the Srimangal-Bhanugachh road inside Lawachara National Park in Moulvibazar was reportedly cut down and stolen early today, raising fresh concerns about the Forest Department’s surveillance of the protected forest.

The tree, with an estimated circumference of seven feet, worth nearly Tk 1 lakh, was allegedly felled and transported from a roadside despite forest guards and patrol teams reportedly being on duty nearby.

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A passerby at Bhanugachh Bazar said he saw a yellow truck covered with tarpaulin travelling towards Chowmuhani around 5:30am, escorted by two men on a motorcycle.

According to the Forest Department, forest guard Babul and a member of the Community Patrol Group (CPG), Bijoy Bauri, were on duty at the Jankichhara camp gate on Sunday night. The beat officer was reportedly at the main gate of Lawachara with a patrol team until around 5:30am.

“The authorities need to explain how it's possible to cut down a large tree along a major road and transport it while forest personnel are on duty,” said Shamsul Haque, general secretary of the Lawachara People’s Forum, calling for an impartial investigation into duty rosters, patrol records, and CCTV footage.

Saju Marchiang, a local, said the probe should determine whether negligence, lack of supervision, or involvement of forest officials was behind the theft. He cautioned that repeated forest crimes could erode public confidence in the department’s ability to protect the national park.

Kazi Nazmul Haque, range officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department in Moulvibazar, said he visited the site after learning of the theft.

“Operations are ongoing to recover the stolen teak and identify those involved. If evidence is found of involvement by anyone from within the Forest Department, strict departmental and legal action will be taken against them,” he said.