Govt to show zero-tolerance to illegal tree cutting: CA

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Caretaker Government Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed speaking at the closing ceremony of the month-long countrywide National Tree Fair 2007 and distribution of Chief Adviser's National Award 2006 in Tree Plantation at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the city

Citing the arrest of some top forest department officials on charge of corruption, Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Monday said his caretaker government would show "zero-tolerance" in action to stop indiscriminate felling of trees and destruction of forests in the country, reports UNB.
He asked the concerned officials and employees to remain cent-per cent accountable in conserving trees and forests so as to avert such punitive action.
"Stern legal actions would be taken if any official and employee’s negligence is proved in preserving the tree and forest resources," he warned.
The Chief Adviser made the remarks while speaking at a closing ceremony of the month-long countrywide National Tree Fair 2007 and distribution of Chief Adviser's National Award 2006 in Tree Plantation at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the city Monday.
A total of 48 individuals and institutions in 16 categories were given Chief Advisers' National Award 2006 in Tree Plantation while one individual got a special award for outstanding performance in tree planting.
The Chief Adviser distributed the national award among the first-position scorer in each category and the special award to Kartik Pramanik of Chapai Nawabganj.
Of the Chief Adviser's national award, the first prize carries Tk 20,000, second Tk 15,000 and third prize Tk 10,000 along with certificate and crest. The special award carries Tk 30,000 along with crest and certificate.
The Chief Adviser also distributed profits among three beneficiaries of social afforestation programme.
Environment and Forest Adviser CS Karim presided over the function. Secretary in charge of the Environment Ministry AHM Rezaul Kabir delivered the address of welcome.
The head of the caretaker government said if necessary, the existing laws would be amended to make tougher provision in order to protect trees and forests.
He stressed bringing strategic changes in forest management to ensure good governance, honesty and discipline in this sector.
This responsibility basically falls on the forest department and its officials and employees, he said.
Officials and employees will have to be more honest and sincere and discharge their duties remaining free from corruption, he told his audience, against a grim backdrop of the recent unveiling of telltale episodes of plunder of national forest wealth by those entrusted as custodians.
Ahmed noted that despite increase in the number of trees in the country following social afforestation and participation of people in tree planting, the situation is not improving as much as expected due to the wiping out of natural forests in different places.
"We all have to always give attention in preserving forests for interest of our future generation," he observed.
Narrating the macabre experience of the loss of 126 lives in a human disaster due to landslide under heavy rain in Chittagong city on June 10, the Chief Adviser said hill cutting would also have to be avoided to maintain ecological balance.
"From now on, all will have to stop cutting hills at any cost and all concerned will have to keep vigilance so that no such human disaster recur," he said and informed the function that directive has been given to the concerned authority in this regard.
The Chief Adviser called upon all concerned to plant trees on hillocks and hills on a large scale to prevent landslide and restore natural environment.
The Chief Adviser said to maintain environmental equilibrium and attain self-sufficiency in forest resources are priority agenda of the present government, and the government in this regard has taken plans to bring 20 per cent land under government and private forestation by the year 2015.
Advisers of the caretaker government, tree-loving people, environmentalists and senior government officials were also present at the function.