Tree plantation adaptation stressed for climate change

Massive tree plantations have become a prerequisite for climate change adaptation and environmental improvement as well as job creation to eradicate poverty and accelerate socio-economic development.

Officials made the observation at a post-rally discussion arranged at the inaugural function of a 15-day ‘Divisional Tree Fair -2022’ on the Zila School ground in the city on Sunday afternoon.

The district administration and Social Forestry Division are jointly organizing the fair to create awareness among common citizens on the enormous importance of tree plantation to adapt to adverse impacts of climate change.

Different government and non-governmental organisations, nursery owners and entrepreneurs have set up 60 stalls on the fair ground displaying saplings of timber, fruit, medicinal and ornamental plants.

Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan formally inaugurated the fortnight-long tree fair by cutting ribbon and releasing balloons before addressing the discussion as the chief guest.

Earlier, a colorful rally with participation of officials and employees of the divisional, district and police administrations, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Forest, nursery owners, students, teachers and farmers was brought out on the city streets.

With Deputy Commissioner Md Asib Ahsan in the chair, President of Rangpur District Awami League Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, its General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, President of City Awami League Shafiur Rahman Safi, its General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal addressed the occasion as special guests.

Divisional Forest Officer Md. Matlubar Rahman delivered a welcome speech while its Rangpur Range Officer Md. Mossarraf Hossain moderated the function. Matlubar Rahman discussed the necessity of tree plantation,

its economic and nutritional benefits and importance in building a green nature to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change and keep the planet habitable for the next generations.

He put maximum emphasis on increasing forest area through massive tree plantation to reduce environmental degradation and economic and nutritional aspects of wood, fruit and medicinal and ornamental trees.

The chief guest called for planting tree saplings to improve the environment, meet nourishment and get huge economic benefits to cut poverty for accelerating national progress on the way to achieve the sustainable development goals.