Speakers at a discussion said there is no alternative to more tree plantation to biodiversity conservation, resisting of desertification and protection of ecological balance in the Barind region.
Terming the tree plantation as the biggest investment they called for extensive afforestation for elevating socio-economic condition and to protect the high barind tract from desertification.
They were addressing the inaugural ceremony of a fortnight-long tree plantation campaign and tree fair-2014 at Green Plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation on Saturday.
Social Forestry Division (SFD) and Office of the Deputy Commissioner jointly organized event with a call to make the tree plantation campaign a social movement as part of the current National Tree Plantation Drive.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MP, addressed the opening session as chief guest with Deputy Commissioner-in-Charge Dr Dewan Shahriar Firoj in the chair. Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Munir Hossain, Regional Conservation of Forest Dr Lasker Masudur Rahman and Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation Ajahar Ali also spoke.
In his address of welcome, Divisional Forest Officer Azit Kumar Rudra gave an overview of the tree fair and, so far, achievement of forestry activities in the region.
Chief Guest Shahriar Alam viewed that the optimum afforestation could help stop degradation of environment, ecology and biodiversity to make the country a safe habitat for all.
Creation of more forests through tree plantations to expand the country’s forest area up to 25 percent of the total landscape will protect Bangladesh from the possible alarming consequences of the ongoing climate changes, they added.
He urged the people irrespective of age, sex, creed and cast to plant at least three saplings each around their respective homesteads or on any open space to help maintain environmental and ecological balance and save the region from the wrath of any future natural catastrophe.
There is no alternative to plant more saplings to protect the ecological balance after facing the adverse effect of Farakka barrage in the region. All concerned should put in their best effort to make the region green by enhancing forest area.
Different government and non-government organizations and individuals including nursery owners and local entrepreneurs have set up 43 stalls on the fair ground displaying saplings of over 100 varieties, including 40 indigenous plants of fruit-bearing trees, timber and medicinal trees.
Earlier, a colourful rally carrying banners and festoons, participated by the officials, students and heads of the educational institutions, socio-cultural activists and professionals, paraded the city streets from city bhaban premises to aware people about tree plantation.
