The protesters demanded immediate action to stop the felling of trees

Trees are being cut down for development work on Saat Masjid Road in Mohammadpur of Dhaka Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Green Voice, a nov-governmental organization (NGO), on Sunday afternoon organized a program to protest against indiscriminate cutting down of trees at Dhanmondi's Sat Masjid Road area.

The organization arranged the program to mark Protection of Natural Oxygen Day 2023 as well. The program was chaired by Green Voice Chief Coordinator Alamgir Kabir. 

Green activists, students and local residents raised questions about the rationale of cutting trees, repairing roads and building structures.

Earlier, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam said: "I want to do the work without cutting trees as much as possible. But the road work is not possible without cutting the trees on Sat Masjid Road. And this is why the trees are being cut down."

The protesters demanded immediate action to stop the felling of trees and quick plant saplings of indigenous species in place of the felled trees. 

Alamgir Kabir said: "The main purpose of celebrating the day is to make people aware about saving trees. Explain the role of trees in protecting the environment."

Every city needs to have 20% green space. But old Dhaka has only 5% and rest of the capital only 12%.

Green Voice Assistant Coordinator Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Executive Officer Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Playwright, Actor and Theater Director Mamunur Rashid, former student leader, Writer, Columnist Rustom Ali Khokon, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Joint Editor Mihir Biswas and residents and conscious citizens also presented there.