The branches that were once home to hundreds of birds are now on the ground, and the large tree stands with half of its canopy missing in front of RMCH emergency unit.

PHOTO: COLLECTED

Mostafa Shabuj, Bogura

The authorities of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital recently cut off the branches of some trees that were home to a huge number of different species of birds. Amid protests from local environmental activists and conservationists, the director of RMCH admitted to the mistake and said he will refrain from such acts of environmental destruction in the future.

This reporter during a visit to RMCH earlier this year found thousands of birds at the premises, with Asian openbill storks, cormorants and night herons making nests on the trees in the RMCH compound and adjacent areas including Rajshahi Central Jail, Technical Training Centre (TTC) and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Science (INMAS) - Rajshahi.

According to local birders, the birds have been nesting at RMCH premises for the past 4-5 years.

Mizanur Rahman, founder of Save the Nature and Life, Rajshahi, said, “On December 28, the hospital authority cut down 80 percent of the branches of a large rain tree, located near the emergency unit of the hospital. Besides the authority also cut down branches of around 100 small Debdaru trees where many small and native birds would nest.”

On the next day, activists under the banner of Mizanur’s environmental organisation formed a human chain at the hospital gate, protesting the authorities’ destruction of nature and habitat. During their demonstration, an altercation occurred with members of Ansar deployed at the hospital.