Allegations of indiscriminate felling of mangroves and casuarina trees have surfaced in the protected forest area of the Sundarbans. This incident has stirred controversy in the Gobardhanpur area of Patharpratima. The arrow of accusation points towards individuals associated with the ruling party. A section of locals claim that approximately 270 casuarina trees and a significant number of mangroves have been cut down.
These trees were planted in 2019 to protect the Aila embankment. A 'Joint Forest Committee' was formed by the state government for its maintenance. It is the members of this very committee who now stand accused of tree felling. Aggrieved villagers have demanded a swift investigation and punishment for the culprits.
Despite villagers lodging a written complaint at the Ramganga Range Office of the Forest Department, they allege that no action has been taken by the administration thus far. The opposition has targeted the ruling party over this tree-felling issue. Local BJP leadership joined the protest alongside villagers, blocking the felled tree trunks.
Subrata Mandal, a member of the BJP's booth committee, alleges that the Joint Forest Committee formed to protect the trees comprises solely of Trinamool leaders and workers. Those entrusted with forest protection have become the predators. He claims that the trees were cut down at the instructions of the ruling party leaders in the committee, primarily for sale. The accused reportedly fled, abandoning the felled tree trunks when villagers confronted them.
He states, “These trees were planted to protect the river embankment. If they are cut down in this manner, a vast area will be inundated in the future due to embankment breaches. We have lodged written complaints with the administration and the forest department. We demand legal action against the accused”.
Panchanan Mandal, a labourer accused in the tree-felling incident, has stated that he was instructed to cut down old, large casuarina trees to make way for new plantations. He claims that people from the Joint Forest Committee had authorized him to fell the trees.
Local panchayat chief Tapati Jana Giri says, “Instructions were given to cut down dry trees or those obstructing movement. I did not order such indiscriminate tree felling. If anyone has secretly cut trees, the administration and forest department will take appropriate action against them”.
After the incident came to light, forest workers from the Ramganga Range Office of the Forest Department visited the site to investigate the tree felling. The Forest Department has announced that the felled tree trunks will be confiscated. Samir Jana, the Trinamool MLA from Patharpratima, states, “The Forest Department, administration, and government will not compromise on this incident in any way. Swift action will be taken against the culprits, and new trees will be planted in that area”.
