The picturesque stretch of road spanning 20km from Bogra to Sariakandi, once adorned with towering trees, now stands barren, devoid of its natural canopy. What was once a sanctuary for various bird species and a refuge for pedestrians seeking respite from the sun, now offers no shade amid the current intense heatwave.

This vital route serves as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of commuters from Gabtoli, Sariakandi, and Sonatala upazilas traveling to Bogra district headquarters. In 1993, the landscape was transformed with the planting of thousands of forest trees along the road, creating a lush environment teeming with avian life and providing much-needed shade.

However, the scene drastically changed two years ago when the decision was made to widen the road, leading to the auctioning and subsequent felling of these majestic trees. Despite assurances, no initiative was taken to replenish the greenery, leaving locals and travelers vulnerable to the scorching sun.

Residents and drivers lament the absence of trees, likening the experience of traversing the treeless expanse to walking on hot iron bars. Where once they enjoyed a cool and shaded journey, they now endure the oppressive heat, with autorickshaw and motorcycle drivers particularly affected.

The removal of trees has exacerbated the impact of the ongoing heatwave, prompting calls for urgent action to restore the green cover along the road. While the Department of Environment emphasizes the need for swift tree plantation efforts, challenges arise as the Forest Department cites a lack of allocation for such initiatives.

In response, Bogra's Deputy Commissioner pledges to launch extensive tree planting drives across the district, aiming to green every road, highway, and regional route. With instructions issued to union chairmen and plans underway, the district administration aims to mitigate the effects of the heatwave and restore the natural beauty of the region's thoroughfares.