Centuries old trees logged

An organised gang has illegally cut down several trees said to be centuries old in Pahartoli area in Chittagong city. At least four trees including one rain tree, a Bunyan tree and a Neem tree, were felled at some time between Saturday morning and evening. Most of the trees were situated on the land owned by Bangladesh Railway near its workshop. But the railway authorities or the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) had no clue about the destruction. However, after journalists enquired the authorities, they raided the area and detained two persons who were preparing to cut down another tree. Railway authorities have already handed them to Khulshi Police Station. The logging of the centuries old trees was kicked started by the gangsters as soon as a road widening work of the CCC began in Pahartoli, according to a news agency.