Over 50 century-old trees of the Cotton Development Board’s seed multiplication farm in Gazipur are being felled to establish an experimental gamma radiation center in the upazila.

As of today (October 31), 13-14 trees have already been felled, sparking strong reactions from environmentalists in the district.

Various sources have revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated part of the land of Bhabanipur Seed Multiplication Farm, Gazipur, to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

The BAEC plans to establish a gamma radiation experimental center there.

According to BAEC sources, a tender notice was issued on October 16 to fell 54 century-old trees, including 41 jackfruit trees, nine mango trees, one silk cotton tree and three palm trees, surrounding the field of the regional gamma research center of BAEC in Bhabanipur.

Farid Mia, a B0AEC official, told The Business Standard that they received the land allocation from the Ministry of Agriculture.

“A BAEC regional research center will be established there. This project will be financed by the World Bank. To establish this center, we have initiated the process of felling 54 trees of various species within the perimeter.

“We have obtained permission to fell the trees from the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division of the Forest Department,” he added.

Hasan Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon in Gazipur, expressed deep sadness over the felling of such old and ancient trees.

He stressed the need for authorities to explore other ways of implementing the project without felling the trees.