Call to strengthen social afforestation movement

Chittagong District Administration and Chittagong North Forest Division are organising the fair titled "Tree Plantation Movement and Tree Fair-2006" at Laldighi Maidan as part of the national tree plantation programme.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman inaugurated the fair as the chief guest, while State Minister for Environment and Forest Jafrul Islam Chowdhury was present as special guest.

With Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Dr Syed Nesar Ahmed Rumi in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Ashraful Makbul, Conservator of Forest, Chittagong region, Salahuddin Ahmed and Divisional Forest Officer of Chittagong North Shamsul Azam.

Speaking at the function, Abdullah Al Noman said, "We have to plant trees not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for a conducive atmosphere for the human being as trees give us oxygen and absorb carbon-dioxide."

He said optimum utilisation of country's existing natural resources and land assets could contribute to a great extent in attaining economic progress side by side with exporting industrial products.

The minister underscored the need for further strengthening the social participatory afforestation instead of creating government regulatory forest areas to turn the tree plantation into a social movement.

State Minister for Environment and Forest Jafrul Islam Chowdhury said about Tk 86 crore were distributed among 56,000 families across the country during the last four and a half years under the social afforestation programme which has contributed a lot to change the economic status of the beneficiaries.

He said as per the directives of the prime minister the Environment and Forest Ministry has planted 93 crore coconut saplings in the coastal areas last year, and this year the ministry has taken a plan to plant one crore Neem saplings throughout the country.

Earlier, Abdullah Al Noman along with Jafrul Islam Chowdhury inaugurated the tree fair by planting saplings on the Chittagong Circuit House premises.

A procession with the participation of government and NGO officials, students and girl guides, was brought out from the Circuit House premises to create mass awareness about tree plantation.