RANGPUR, July 20, 2017 (BSS) – Experts at a post-rally discussion here have put emphasis on massive tree plantation to improve environment, ecology and bio-diversity amid frightening climate change threat.
They came up with the view in the discussion at launching ceremony of a fortnight-long ‘Divisional Wood, Fruit and Medicinal Tree Fair -2017’ held on Zila School ground on Wednesday afternoon.
The district administration, Social Forestry Division and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE)jointly organised the fair to create awareness on importance of tree plantation for mitigating climate change impacts to build a safer planet.
Fifty tree stalls have been set up in the fair by different government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), nursery owners and entrepreneurs displaying saplings of many varieties of fruit, timber and medicinal plants.
Earlier, a huge procession, participated by officials and employees of the divisional and district administrations, DAE, Department of Forest (DoF), agriculture-related organisations, NGOs, nursery owners, students and farmers, was brought out in the city streets.
Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hasan Ahmed inaugurated the fair by cutting ribbon and addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Divisional Forest Officer Shafikul Islam in the chair.
Regional Additional Director of DAE Shah Alam, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Wahiduzzaman, Deputy Director of DAE SM Ashraf Ali, Assistant Zonal Forest Conservator Dr Prantosh Chandra Roy, Headmaster of Rangpur Zila School Abu Raihan Md Mizanur Rahman, addressed as special guests.
In his welcome speech, Shafikul Islam said the fury of nature has been causing cyclones, tsunamis, bush fires, droughts, floods and other natural catastrophes for a long time due to climate change threatening habitation, environment, ecology and agriculture.
“Massive tree plantation and increasing forest resources area could protect environment, ecology and bio-diversity to improve the deteriorating situation and save many living species of animals, birds, insects, aqua animals including fishes from extinction,” he said.
Dr Prantosh Chandra Roy narrated beneficial aspects of forests and important role of trees in human life and cited examples of the Sundarbans that saved millions of lives when the sidr hit the coastal belts of the country in 2007.
The chief guest called upon every citizen for planting fruit, timber and medicinal plants to improve environment and bio-diversity along with meeting nutritional demand, getting economic benefits and saving the country from natural catastrophes.