Rangpur Officials at a post-rally discussion have underscored the need for massive tree plantation to adapt to climate change, improve environment, ecology and bio-diversity.
They made the observation at the discussion arranged at the inaugural function of a 20-day 'Divisional Wood, Fruit and Medicinal Tree Fair-2019' on Zila School ground in the city on Wednesday afternoon, reports BSS.The district administration, Social Forestry Division and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) are jointly organizing the fair to create awareness among common citizens on importance of tree plantation.
Different government and non-governmental organizations, nursery owners and entrepreneurs have set up fifty stalls on the fairground displaying saplings of timber, fruit and medicinal plants. Earlier, a colorful rally with participation of officials and employees of the divisional, district and police administrations, DAE, Department of Forest, nursery owners, students, teachers and farmers was brought out on the city streets.
Later, Acting Divisional Commissioner Md. Zakir Hossain inaugurated the fair by cutting ribbon and releasing balloons before addressing the discussion as the chief guest.
With Deputy Commissioner Asib Ahsan in the chair, Deputy Inspector General for Rangpur Range Devdas Bhattacharya, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud, President of district Awami League Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and its city unit President Shafiur Rahman Shafi addressed the discussion as special guests.
Divisional Forest Officer Md. Rafikuzzaman Shah delivered welcome speech while Deputy Director of DAE for Rangpur Agriculturist Dr. Md. Sarwarul Haque discussed necessity of tree plantation, its economic and nutritional benefits.
Agriculturist Dr. Md. Sarwarul Haque discussed importance of increasing forest area through massive tree plantation to reduce environmental degradation and economic and nutritional aspects of wood, fruit and medicinal trees.The chief guest called for planting tree saplings to improve environment, meet nourishment and get economic benefits to cut poverty for accelerate national progress on way to achieve the sustainable development goals.