HASINA CRITICISED

The decision of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh to cut hundreds of trees to build a conference centre for the forthcoming Non-aligned Movement summit in 2001 has been criticised by environmentalists. The 5000-seat auditorium is proposed to be built at capital Dhaka's Osmany Udyan, which is along the green space separating old and new Dhaka. Siajul Islam Chowdhury, who is heading the 'Save the 11,000 trees' movement said, "We must vow to save the park in the city where open space is disappearing fast, leaving the metropolis unfit for living."