No alternative for planting trees to prevent desertification

 

The World Desertification and Drought day is observed on 17 June each year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The process of adopting the International Convention on Desertification began shortly after the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, and in the light of this convention, the UN declared a separate day on this issue in 1994. Following the declaration, Drought and Desertification Prevention Day has been observed globally including Bangladesh since on June 17, 1995

One-fourth of the world's area is land and a large part of this land has already been deserted. Due to poor drainage and salinity, a large part of irrigated arable land is facing degradation today. Desertification is a big threat and a serious challenge for the future world. This requires prevention of desertification. Just as desertification is a global headache, so it is our concern. Due to the increase in population, our crop land is decreasing day by day and the balance of the environment is being lost. At the same time, the vegetation is declining. The bigger issue is that our rivers are drying up. The condition of other reservoirs is also miserable. As our crop land is declining day by day, at the same time the land is losing its fertility due to drought and in this situation, we must pay due attention to the environment.

Although desertification has not been a very important issue for Bangladesh so far, now it has made environmental scientists think enough. Various natural calamities including Ampan, Fani, Sidr, Aila, Bulbul, Nargis that have recently swept through our country have intensified this idea. So one of the biggest environmental challenges in today's world is drought and desertification. The UN says about 1.5 billion people worldwide depend on eroded land for their livelihood and 42 percent of the world's extremely poor live in decaying areas, living in extreme insecurity. This erosion has further accelerated climate change, which is not only a threat to our survival but also a threat to our peace and stability.

For this reason, there is no suitable alternative to extensive afforestation and tree planting to protect this decaying land from drought and desertification. Bear in mind that trees are our best friend, an invaluable resource for people and the environment. The contribution of trees as suppliers of food, clothing, nutrition, shelter, medicines, and other necessities is undeniable, as well as they play an important role in maintaining the balance and protection of the environment. The existence of the animal kingdom depends on the plant world and is an integral part of it. The forest cover of Bangladesh is very insignificant compared to the need and it shows that tree planting is very important for us.

The recent super cyclone 'Ampan' has caused a lot of damage to the coastal resources but the death toll due to trees in the Sundarbans has been very low and it is a very comforting event. Hurricane Ampan didn't just happen, earlier, Bulbul on November 9, 2019, Cyclone Sidr on November 15, 2007 and Cyclone Aila on May 25, 2009 struck with deadly destructive power but were weakened by obstruction in the trees of the Sundarbans. The result was much less damage, the death toll was much lower than expected and the Sundarbans acts like a shield to protect the people of the southwestern coast and adjoining areas of the country from natural disasters.

Planting trees is the most effective way and measures to prevent drought and desertification. Planting trees protects us from the harmful effects of greenhouses, provides us with essential food, provides oxygen, keeps the environment clean by absorbing excess carbon dioxide from the air, purifies harmful polluted air, protects the environment, provides cool shade and prevents soil erosion. Adding substances to protect soil fertility, retain adequate amounts of water in the soil, provide fuel, supply raw materials of valuable life-saving medicines, act as safe habitat for animals, birds and other wildlife, prevent natural disasters, storms, floods, home In making and making everyday essential fancy and valuable furniture, prevents salinity, acts like insurance in human emergencies, absorbs harmful toxins from the soil and keeps the soil clean and pure, keeps the air clean, reduces atmospheric heat and keeps the weather cool, such as air pollutants. Monoxide absorbs sulfur dioxide, and tree leaves prevent storm-winds, cause rain and desertification, the balance of the natural environment in addition to protecting the nature of the enchanted and beautified.

Among the problems we are constantly facing due to lack of adequate forests and trees are increasing global warming, increasing desertification, increasing carbon-dioxide in the air, increasing the amount of chlorofluorocarbons, methane and nitrous oxide which are harmful to biodiversity. Increasingly, cracks are forming in the weight layer of the atmosphere, resulting in harmful ultraviolet rays reaching the earth. With acid rain and rising temperatures, sea levels are rising as polar ice caps and the Antarctic continent melt. Bangladesh is on the list of the country's most affected by climate change.

We all want to be close to the green. If we wish, we can decorate the inside and outside of the house made of brick-concrete as per our mind. Many people are seen placing tree tubs on the veranda of the house, next to the stairs, in the living room etc. The present time is very suitable for tree-lovers and the right planting season is underway. If we want to garden in the tub, roof, garden or open space of the house, we have to take initiative now. As soon as we reach out, we can find all the wonderful nurseries in the vicinity, from where we can collect trees of our choice. These nurseries including flowers, fruits, beautifying shrubs, medicinal trees, bonsai, tubs, pesticides, organic fertilizers, soil, materials and everything related to tree care are available. May to August is the best time to plant these four months. If the tree is planted during this period, it can grow in suitable weather. At this time, the rainfall and moisture required for the rapid growth of the tree is available. This is a suitable time to plant flowers, fruits, foliage or forests.

As one has said, global warming has increased by 0.740 degrees Celsius in the last one hundred years. If global warming continues in this way, global temperatures are expected to rise by 0.50 to 1.70 degrees Celsius by 2050. If the level of climate change increases in this way, then we will have to face many problems. The rights to food security, potable water and natural resources, housing and other infrastructural facilities will be at stake.

Scientists warn that due to rising sea levels in the next 50 years, much of Bangladesh's coastal region will be submerged. Land in the south-west and north-west of the country is getting degraded due to drought. Rajshahi region in particular is identified as a problem prone area. Although very urgent, World Drought and Desertification Prevention Day is not being observed with special importance in this country. However, the government's eco-friendly tree planting program has been specially adopted in various processes to prevent desertification, which deserves praise. The most important thing is to plant more trees to prevent the spread of desertification.

Environmentalists are advising everyone to plant trees that retain water and keep land quality intact. The main resolution adopted in the International Convention on the Celebration of World Drought and Desertification Day emphasizes tree planting and the creation of alternative fuels. Let us all plant trees, save lives and the environment and save Bangladesh from drought and desertification.


Md. Zillur Rahaman is Banker and Freelance Contributor