Employees of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the contractors have allegedly embezzled funds by selling trees felled for development works without an auction.
Nearly 500 trees on the road stretching from ‘La Meridian’ hotel to the Dhaka Airport were removed without any auction.
Another 500 tress were cut down in the Uttara Model Town in December 2015.
A large number of trees were also felled from Banani playground, Gulshan 2, Rampura and Banasree.
As many as 372 trees were removed from the roads from Section 10 to Section 12 in Mirpur to develop the Kalshi road. The DNCC earned Tk 667,600 from the tree felling.
Another Tk 62,000 was added to the city fund after 76 trees were removed from a road from Section 10 to Section 14 in Mirpur on Feb 24, 2015.
In latest update, the DNCC got Tk 200,000 after 1,065 trees were removed from the road stretching from Mirpur 10 to Bangla Motor under the ongoing metro rail project.
The DNCC has so far earned Tk 993,000 in total against its several thousands of tree cutting.
Wishing anonymity, several contractors told Bangla Tribune that it takes time to cut the trees following due process that hampers development work.
So, they maintained link to the city officials and sell the tress. Then they shared the money with the officials.
So far, trees have been auctioned in two areas for implementing development projects, the DNCC said after an environment activist sought information on trees auctions.
Trees on road stretching from BITAC intersection to Baitul Azim Mosquae in DNCC’s ward no. 28 and on Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Road in Mahakkhali went on auction.
The DNCC earned Tk 64,200 after cutting 63 trees in two areas,
City officials, however, denied cutting trees for development work purpose.
“We did not fell any trees for development works rather we have removed some trees that were considered risky while constructing the city drainage system,” said DNCC Additional Chief Engineer Syed Kudrat Ullah.
Asked whether those trees were auctioned, the official said, “We did not sell those either.”
When pointing to the tree cutting situations at different parts of the city including Banani, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Baridhara and Uttara, Kudrat Ullah directly oppose the allegation.
“We also did not fell any tree in those areas,” he said.