3,000 trees saved in Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered that the expansion of the Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive proceed without cutting trees, saving around 3,000 from removal and reshaping the project’s environmental approach.

The directive has been widely welcomed by environmentalists, who see it as a significant step towards protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance in the coastal region.

The Ministry of Road Transport is implementing the instruction, revising earlier plans that had anticipated large-scale tree felling along the route. The approximately 80-kilometre stretch from Kolatoli to Teknaf’s Sabrang Zero Point is being upgraded to four lanes, but now without removing existing trees.

Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said the intervention was a positive move but raised concerns about how such proposals had advanced in the first place. 

He added that the need for last-minute intervention exposed weaknesses in environmental screening processes.

Shahriar Hossain, secretary general of ESDO, said the decision had prevented a potential environmental loss, stressing that trees take years to grow but can be cut in moments. 

He urged that such considerations be integrated from the outset of all development planning.

In the past, roadside tree cutting was routine in infrastructure projects, often with little regard for environmental impact. The current directive marks a departure from that approach, placing conservation alongside development.

Following the prime minister’s order, Road Transport, Bridges and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, and State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib visited the project site to oversee adjustments on 21 April.

Engineers have since revised plans to ensure construction continues without tree removal.

The project includes road widening, construction of a 305-metre bridge over Reju Canal, retaining walls, installation of concrete blocks, and relocation of utilities. Work is being supervised by the Bangladesh Army’s engineering units and is scheduled for completion by 2026.

Officials also said new ornamental trees will be planted along both sides of the road to enhance the area’s environmental and visual appeal.

The decision is being seen as a model for balancing development with environmental protection, signalling a shift towards more sustainable infrastructure planning in Bangladesh.

On April 21, Road Transport, Bridges and Railways Minister Robiul Islam, the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, and State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib visited the Marine Drive area. Senior officials and project stakeholders were present during the visit.

The approximately 80 - kilometre road from Kolatoli to Teknaf’s Sabrang Zero Point is currently being upgraded to four lanes. Initially, it was assumed that a large number of trees would have to be cut to widen the road. However, following the Prime Minister’s directive, that plan has been revised.

Officials concerned say that in the past, many development projects caused environmental damage due to tree cutting. Learning from those experiences, the current initiative has placed special emphasis on environmental conservation, which is being widely appreciated.

After learning that nearly 3,000 trees might need to be cut for the expansion of Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive, the Prime Minister instructed the concerned minister to look into the matter. At the same time, he directed that the construction work be completed without cutting a single tree.

Following the Prime Minister’s directive, Road Transport, Bridges and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam held meetings with relevant officials and engineers to implement the road expansion without cutting trees. As a result, the work has begun without removing the 3,000 trees.

Regarding the matter, Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said that, in addition to preserving existing trees, initiatives have been taken to plant new ornamental trees along both sides of the Marine Drive to make it more scenic, environmentally friendly, and tourist-friendly.

Officials from the ministry said that the construction work for the expansion project is being supervised by the Bangladesh Army’s 16th and 17th Engineering Construction Battalions.

The project includes road widening, construction of a 305-metre-long two-lane bridge over Reju Canal, RCC retaining walls, installation of CC blocks, and relocation of utilities. The work is planned to be completed by 2026.

According to those concerned, the Prime Minister’s decision in the Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive project will stand as a bright example of balancing development and environmental protection. This approach sends a new message for the future of infrastructure development in the country while preserving nature.

The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]