A dispute has erupted in Kushtia town after 70 trees were felled from a nearly one-acre garden located beside the offices of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the Public Works Department (PWD).

Both departments have claimed ownership of the trees, triggering tension and a tug-of-war over the removal.

The incident came to light on Friday morning when workers of Naogaon-based AMK Traders, which purchased the trees through an auction, started cutting them.

PWD officials rushed to the site and halted the work, claiming they had not been notified of any tree-cutting order or tender.

PWD officials said a land record correction case is ongoing in court, yet RHD allegedly proceeded with the tender process secretly.

They also claimed they planted and maintained the trees. “RHD sold the trees through a secret tender while the case is still pending. Cutting must stop until the court gives a decision,” said Sohel Rana, office assistant at PWD.

PWD Executive Engineer Md. Nuruzzaman Hossain said both departments are engaged in a land-sharing dispute. “There was a stay order earlier regarding tree cutting for construction work. After the stay was lifted, we filed an appeal again. The ADC (General) has already been informed,” he said.

RHD, however, maintains that the land record is in its favour and that the court ruling also supports its claim. “There is no illegality. The auction was carried out lawfully,” said Shariful Islam, work assistant at RHD.

RHD Executive Engineer Muhammad Manzurul Karim said that despite the ongoing case, there is no injunction preventing tree felling.

When asked why 70 mature trees were sold for only Tk 1.81 lakh, he insisted the sale was conducted through an open tender.

Timber trader Abdul Khaleq said mature mahogany trees usually sell for Tk 1,800–2,000 per cubic foot, while younger trees fetch Tk 1,000–1,300.

“Each tree appears to yield seven to eight cubic feet. The quoted price is far below market value,” he said.

Environmental activist Gautam Kumar Roy alleged the auction was not genuinely open and that the price set was suspiciously low.

He warned that indiscriminate tree cutting for personal gain worsens climate impacts, demanding those destroying the environment must be held accountable.