Felling of a 200-year-old Shimul tree

I am a resident of Road 51, Gulshan 2. Just in front of our gate stood a beautiful, majestic 200-year-old Shimul tree, with its branches and foliage spreading across the road. Not only did the tree give out much-needed oxygen, but it also protected pedestrians and us residents from the rising heat. Every spring, bright red flowers used to blossom on the tree, lending colour and vivacity to our otherwise brick and concrete area.

It is with profound sorrow that I have been witnessing the gradual felling of this rare tree over the last three days. The stump of the huge tree has been sawed off to its last level. You will not find another Shimul tree in all of Gulshan. 

It makes me wonder, Mr Mayor, whether,  when you take up the work of expanding/repairing/beautifying roads and highways, you have a team of engineers, environmentalists, botanists and landscape experts to study the project from all angles and give their expert opinions on how to implement the project without causing damage to the environment. For, if you had, then probably the unnecessary felling of this Shimul tree, which was the pride and landmark of Road 51, would not have taken place. Your workers would have been instructed to proceed with caution and protect the tree by all means. 

 It is ironic that I am compelled to write to you on an issue of environmental repercussions  when the whole world is uniting to save oceans to counter the effects of climate change.

Hasina Zaman
Gulshan