An official said, most of these trees are being used as fuel in 40 brick fields and as timber in saw mills in Manda upazila. Though the cost of each tree is estimated at about 2 thousand taka but those were sold to the brick fields and saw mills at a throwaway price of two to three hundred taka each, said a local Union Parishad (UP) chairman.

He also informed that a case has been filed against one Saidur Rahman and Toyez Uddin with Manda thana who were caught read-handed while they were cutting trees a few days ago.

Local administration sources and elite of Manda alleged some influential political leaders and activists of the area were involved in the indiscriminate cutting of trees.

Most of the valuable trees by the 19-kilometre long road from Karumpur to Tatulia have disappeared in the last few months. The trees on 18-kilometre embankment of Atrai river from Busnupur to Manda Ferry Ghat have been felled without any resistance, said the UP Chairman.

A huge number of trees on the 4-kilometre long road from Gugra to Khosumba have been cut down and sold by some local influentials and political leaders and activists. Besides, trees on 20-kilometre embankment from Mithapukur to Manda Ferry Ghat have been stolen and sold to brick fields and saw mills at nominal prices, the UP chairman alleged.

District administration officials admitted that some 'known' groups of miscreants have taken away a huge number of trees from different roadsides and river embankment. They did it on the nose of the law enforcement agencies as they are sheltered by a section of ruling partymen.

Sources further informed that only six brick fields out of 40 are running with valid documents at Manda.