The trees were sold at Tk 30 lakh while some sources claimed that their value was over Tk one crore. The trees were along 22 kilometer roads in Bhola Sadar upazila and 6 kilometer roads in Daulatkhan upazila.

Some local timber traders while talking to this correspondent during a recent visit to the areas claimed that the trees were sold at prices between Tk 50 and 75 per cubic feet against their marker prices between Tk 150 and 200. A vested quarter bought all the trees in league with officials, they alleged.

They alleged that they could not bid in the sale done following "understanding" with some selected traders.

When contacted over phone, Divisional Forest Officer Abdul Hossain said the timber trees were sold after displaying a notice on the notice board at the forest office, done as per a departmental decision. The trees were planted about ten years back, he said.

This correspondent also saw that a large number of trees planted five to six years back were also felled indiscriminately.

The DFO could not say anything when asked why tender trees were also felled. "New saplings will be planted", he said.

Pilferage of timber trees is a common allegation by the local people. Forest guards are seldom seen in the areas, they said.

A large number of Kewra trees have also been taken away by thieves from shoals of Meghna river.