For decades, April 26 -- Sheola-Dubag road in Biyanibazar was a tranquil route, flanked by dense green foliage and the soothing rustle of leaves overhead.

The tall trees that stood sentinel on either side of the road not only provided a cool canopy for pedestrians and vehicles alike, but also served as vital shelter for birds and small wildlife.

Today, that peaceful picture has vanished.

In a dramatic and controversial transformation, more than 3,000 trees were recently felled to make way for a long-anticipated infrastructure initiative: the Sylhet-Charikhai-Sheola Highway Development Project.

Bangladeshi stone worker detained by BSF from Sylhet border

The once-green corridor now lies exposed, its barren path shimmering under the unf...