Massive tree plantations to adapt to climate change stressed

RANGPUR, Nov 26 (BSS): Massive tree plantations have become a need of the time to adapt to adverse impacts of climate change, create greenery, improve the environment and ecosystems, and create jobs for unemployed people.

Officials and experts expressed the opinion at the inaugural function of a four-day 'Tree Fair -2024' held on the upazila parishad premises in Pirganj municipal town here on Monday afternoon.

The Pirganj Upazila administration and Social Forestry Division jointly organized the fair to create awareness among people on the enormous importance of tree plantations adapting to climate change and improve the environment.

Different organisations, nursery owners and entrepreneurs have set up 13 stalls on the fairground displaying saplings of timber, fruit, medicinal tree, and ornamental plants.

Pirganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khadija Begum attended the function as the chief guest with Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer of the Divisional Forest Officer's Office Smriti Singh Roy in the chair.

Pirganj Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Taqi Faisal Talukder, Upazila Agriculture Officer Sadekuzzaman Sarkar, Animal Resources Officer Md Fazlul Karim, Upazila Forest Officer Mithu Talukder and nursery owner Abdul Hye were present.

Officials and employees of the upazila administration, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Forest, nursery owners, students, teachers, farmers and common people are also present.

The speakers discussed the necessity of tree plantation, its economic and nutritional benefits and its significance in building a green nature to cope with adverse impacts of climate change and keep the planet livable for next generations.

The chief guest stressed increasing forest area through the massive plantation of wood, fruit and medicinal and ornamental trees to reduce environmental degradation and discussed economic and nutritional aspects of tree plantation.

"Everyone should plant tree saplings to improve the environment, meet nourishment and get economic benefits to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs)," she said.