Tree plantation Programme now turns into movement: Razzaque

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DHAKA, June 15, 2021 (BSS) – Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said the ‘Tree Plantation Programme’ across the country under the
dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has turned into a
movement.

He said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has turned the tree plantation campaign into a massive movement to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change. And the movement will not only benefit the country but also the global environment.”

The minister was speaking at a discussion organized by Bangladesh Krishak League at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in city’s Khamarbari area as the chief guest on the occasion of ‘Tree Plantation Programme-2021’.

The agriculture minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the tree plantation
programme after taking charge as President of Awami League. In spite of various obstacles, she had initiated a month-long tree plantation programme in 1983 through Krishak League. Besides, he said the premier (Sheikh Hasina) had taken various measures to expedite the tree plantation programme after taking office in 1996.

Bangladesh is one of the country’s most vulnerable to climate change, as well as one of the most disaster prone regions.

Due to climate change and global warming most of the country’s lowlands will be submerged under water, besides Bangladesh is highly susceptible to many natural hazards which will threaten food security, Razzaque said.

He urged people to plant more trees to make the tree plantation programme of Bangladesh Krishak League successful.

He said that the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture at the district, upazila and union level offices would be involved in the tree plantation programme to cooperate with the Krishak League.

Referring to the recent report of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the agriculture minister said that according to the FAO report, Bangladesh is going to be the third largest rice producer in the world for the third time in a row.

“Bangladesh has achieved this position leaving Indonesia behind. This proves that Bangladesh is continuously improving in food production by coping with corona situation and various natural disasters and has a sustainable production system,” he added.

With Krishak League President Sameer Chandra Chand in the chair, the programme was addressed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Awami League (AL) presidium member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, AL Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laili and AL Forest and Environment Affairs Secretary Delwar Hossain as special guests.

Krishak League General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti conducted the discussion.