JU teachers, students protest tree felling on campus

JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, July 19 (UNB): Jahangirnagar University Student-Teacher Unity Platform organised a rally on Thursday protesting the authorities' decision to cut off a large number of trees on the university campus for infrastructural development.

Starting from the Tarzan point of the university campus around 12:00 pm, the procession ended with a brief rally in front of the vice chancellor's office.

Participants urged the authorities to ensure the protection of natural balance and to stop indiscriminate tree-cutting and erection of unplanned buildings on the campus.

Anwarullah Bhuiyan, professor of the Philosophy Department, said the university administration took initiative to erect unplanned buildings in the name of development.

Shamima Sultana, another professor, said the university will suffer a long-lasting loss if the authorities' decision is implemented.

Apart from this, natural beauty of the campus will be threatened here. She urged the university administration to take proper plan after receiving views from all the parties.

JU Cultural alliance President Ashiqur Rahman alleged that the authorities invited them to a discussion programme but finalised its own decision. He described the authorities' attitude as 'autocratic' and condemned it.

Participating at the rally, Jainal Abedin Shishir, joint convener of Bangladesh General Students Rights Protection Council, urged the university authorities to reconsider its plan for the sake of the students of the university.

However, the university authorities undertook a mega project for infrastructural development on the campus. On Wednesday, the design was presented in front of teachers and students.