Wave of tree theft in tea gardens

Moulvibazar Correspondent :

There has been a surge in tree thefts at the Brahmanbazar Hingaziya Tea Garden in Kulaura Upazila. Locals are cutting down valuable trees of various species, including Akashi, from the tea garden at night.

The garden guards said that in the past month, a gang of thieves has cut down several valuable trees, including some Akashi trees, under the cover of darkness. The thieves are reportedly from the nearby Langla Khas slum area.

According to the guards, the trees are being loaded onto vehicles at night. A few days ago, a group of thieves from the Khas area entered the garden late at night to cut down Akashi trees.

When the guards tried to stop them, the miscreants attacked with indigenous weapons and fled, leaving the trees behind.

Locals said the thieves are numerous, making it difficult for the garden guards to control them. The guards have only a flute and a stick for self-defense, which allows such thefts to occur.

The locals also said that the garden guards have filed a complaint with Kulaura Police Station against the gang from Langla Khas.

They warned that if strict action is not taken, it will become increasingly difficult to protect the trees in the garden.

In this regard, Bagan Panchayat President Jamal Uddin said that thieves from the Langla Khas slum next to the tea garden raid the garden every night to steal trees.

Over the past month, they have cut down several valuable trees. When the guards try to stop them, the thieves attack. Despite filing complaints with the police, no solution has been found yet.