Khagrachari Correspondent: There is a sawmill set up illegally inside the Ramgarh tea plantation on the border of Khagrachari hill district. Illegal saw mills have been built inside the Ramgarh tea plantation north of Phatikchari, but there is no rule for setting up saw mills within one kilometer of the plantation.
It is alleged that under the overall supervision of the garden manager, Zainal Abedin, cutting of shade trees and sawing of wood is going on uncontrollably during the day or night, showing a thumbs up to the administration in the tea garden, ignoring the government rules and regulations.
It is known that the act of setting up or operating a sawmill at any place within 10 km from the boundary of any other type of government forest land reserved, guarded, assigned or within 5 km from the international land border (frontier area) of Bangladesh (excluding urban areas) as per the law of the Forest Department. no But the sawmill is located within one kilometer of the international border and within the Ramgarh tea estate.
It is known that this illegal saw mill is located inside the Ramgarh tea garden. Which is less than one kilometer away from the border. Some trees have been felled for logging in illegal sawmills. Besides, at least 50-70 cherai trees have been kept around the sawmill. The Ramgarh tea garden authorities of Phatikchari are cutting a large number of large old shade trees in different hills of the garden without the prior permission of the Bangladesh Tea Board and the Forest Department. There have been complaints of cutting down shade trees and sawing trees in this saw mill.
Also, in the middle of last year, reports were published in some national media alleging smuggling of 6 giant shade trees from sections 3 and 28 of the Ramgarh tea garden. Despite the workers’ ban, Hayaco sold ‘Ma Timber’ to furniture shops for Tk 180,000 in the market. These trees are cut and pruned under the overall supervision of garden manager Zainal Abedin.
Last year, Zainal Abedin was contacted to know about the cutting of the tree, then he arrogantly told that he cut the tree on the instructions of the owner of the garden. What are the disadvantages? What is stopping the workers here? Rather, the trees are harmful to tea gardens.
When contacted to inquire whether there is approval for saw mills in Ramgarh tea garden, manager of the garden, Md Zainal Abedin, expressed reluctance to comment and immediately cut the telephone line. After several calls, he could not be reached.
Jamil Mohammad Khan, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Chittagong North Forest Division, Kerhat, said that there is no permission for saw mill in Ramgarh tea garden. It is illegal.
Chittagong District Administration Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Masud Kamal said that there is no rule for saw mills in tea gardens. Necessary legal action will be taken after inquiry.
When asked about cutting trees using saw mill in Ramgarh tea garden, Tea Board Chairman Major General Md. Ashraful Islam said that saw mill in tea garden is completely illegal. If you want to cut shade trees, you have to plant more than that.
