C T Online Desk: The police have thwarted an attempt by a group of environmental activists, under the banner of “Satmasjid Sarak Gach Rakkha Andalan,” from surrounding Nagar Bhaban, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, to press home their demand for an end to tree felling on Dhanmondi’s Satmasjid Road as part of a beautification project.
Protestors had been gathering at Shahbagh’s Doel Chattar since Sunday morning with a march commencing at 11:15am going towards Nagar Bhaban in Gulistan.
However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police blocked the protestors with barricades at the Bangabazar intersection.
The protesters chanted slogans as they expressed their complaints and demanded a meeting with DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
The group’s demands centre on halting tree felling in public spaces, particularly on Satmasjid Road, in the name of development.
They are calling for the planting of diverse, indigenous trees to replace those that have been cut down.
The activists are also demanding an end to corruption masked as tree trading, the adoption of nature-centric planning in urban development, and the implementation of specific policies for the protection of trees and city residents.
