BSS, Rajshahi :
Wide-ranging afforestation can help minimize the adverse impact on climate consuming carbon emitted by industries, speakers at a discussion said here on Thursday.
They said the country’s northwest region especially the vast barind tract is environmentally vulnerable and the causes of environmental degradation in the dried region are many. In this situation measures are immediately required to address the environmental problems.
The observations came in the closing ceremony of a fortnight-long ‘Divisional Tree plantation campaign and Tree fair-2016’ held at the Green Plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation. Department of Social Forestry and District administration jointly organized the fair.
Divisional Forest Officer Imran Ahmed, who addressed the session as the chief guest, said Bangladesh is the victim of exorbitant emission of carbon by the developed nations.
He viewed that natural calamities especially drought and flood are creating negative impact on agriculture and consequently on food security, in general, on the ability of the people to withstand climatic variability.
Imran Ahmed highlighted the necessity of taking afforestation programmes in the Barind tract to reduce the negative impact of natural calamities.
He, however, said the issue of effectiveness of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in delivering biodiversity co-benefits lessons should be brought under consideration by the policy makers.
Assistant Conservator of Forest AKM Ruhul Amin viewed that the climate change issue must be addressed in holistic approach. He puts emphasis on investigating the factors that determine the rate and pattern of adaptation to environmental changes in the region.
Forestry Range Officer Khandaker Shamsul Huda and Nursery Owner Md Shafiuzzaman also spoke on the occasion.
The best tree-sapling sellers in the fair were given crests and certificates marking the occasion also followed by a cultural function. Tree saplings worth more than Taka 15 lakh were sold out in the fair.
More than 1000 saplings of different fruit trees were distributed among the visiting people free of cost in the fair in observance of the National Mourning Day and 41st Martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Govt committed to equal rights for people of all religions: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MP, has categorically said the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to provide equal opportunities to people of all religions.
To this end, he said the government has been working relentlessly.
The state minister was addressing a janmastami celebration meeting at
Narayanpur Puja Mondap under Bagha upazila of the district yesterday as chief guest with Krisna Komol Panday, Upazila committee President of Hindu Buddhist and Christian Oikya Parisahd, in the chair.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hamidul Islam, upazila parishad Vice-chairmen Shafiur Rahman and Fatema Khatun and Awami League leader Azizul Alam also spoke.
Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh is an instance of communal harmony as people of all the religions have been observing their respective religious festivals freely for long.
He opined that the present government is very positive and cautious to uphold the dignity of the nation. As a result, the country is now being widely adjudged as a unique example of communal harmony as people of all religions live with equal rights alongside peace and tranquility.
State Minister Alam said that many of the social crimes like terrorism, corruptions and degradation could easily be curtailed if the rules and regulations of all religions are followed properly in public life.
Not a single religion allows extremism, violence and repression against women and children but has clear-cut guidelines for showing respect towards them as a whole.
He also mentioned that not a single religion allows any of the social disorders and instability but always facilitates establishing peace and happiness of all living beings.
So, various social diseases like drug-addiction, sexual harassment, early marriage and polygamy could be prevented through wide-ranging creation of social and religious values among the public in general, he added.
