Beneficiaries of social forestry to get support from Climate Trust Fund

RANGPUR, Feb 09 (UNB): Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has announced that beneficiaries of social forestry programmes will receive equivalent financial support from the Climate Change Trust Fund instead of profits from tree sales.

She emphasised the importance of preserving trees planted under social forestry initiatives, stating that they should not be felled unless absolutely necessary.

Speaking at a consultative meeting at Rangpur Circuit House with officials from the Forest Department, the Department of Environment, and the Water Development Board on Sunday, the environment adviser highlighted the necessity of planting native trees instead of species like Acacia and Eucalyptus.

She underscored the need for effective coordination among government agencies to protect the environment. "Deforestation, pollution, and water shortages cannot be tackled in isolation. It requires collective action," she stated.

Addressing climate challenges such as drought, floods, and river erosion, Rizwana urged authorities to focus on reservoir conservation, forest restoration, and pollution control.

She also directed the Department of Environment to take stringent measures against illegal stone crushing and unlicensed brick kilns.

The Adviser instructed the Water Development Board to take urgent steps to prevent river erosion and plant more native trees along embankments while involving local communities in the conservation efforts.

During the meeting, officials from the Forest Department, the Department of Environment, and the Water Development Board presented their ongoing initiatives and challenges.

They noted that relentless efforts are being made to combat deforestation, industrial and agricultural pollution, and regulate water flow in the Rangpur region.

Director General of the Water Development Board Engineer AKM Tahmidul Islam, Conservator of Forests for the Bogura Social Forestry Circle Muhammad Subedar Islam, Chief Engineer of the Water Development Board, Md Mahbubur Rahman and Director of the Rangpur Divisional Office of the Department of Environment, AKM Rafiqul Islam, among others, attended the meeting.