JUST's graduation requirement for planting trees

You do not need to be a scientist to know that trees offer many gifts. Our shady green neighbours absorb carbon, a climate-altering greenhouse gas. Even a small sapling filters the air, taking in particulate matter pollution and releasing life-giving oxygen. Trees even cool things down. Evapotranspiration can cool summer air up to 9.0 degrees. That's why the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) has recently proposed a new graduation requirement: Before obtaining bachelor's degree, every student in the faculty has to plant at least five trees. The proposal has also been approved in the 53rd meeting of the Academic Council of the university, making it mandatory for every student in the undergraduate programme of English department, the only department under this faculty, has to fulfil this requirement for being a graduate.
Even though no credit or marks are allotted for planting trees, students cannot withdraw their certificates unless a clearance of planting saplings is sent from the department in this regard. As a result, every student is required to plant five trees compulsorily under the Bangladesh Studies course. As a result of this decision, the students of the department will plant at least 200 trees every year on the campus, roadsides, public-private institutions or any suitable place. If a student cannot afford to purchase five saplings, financial help will be provided from the department's Student Welfare Fund.
We all are the children of Mother Nature. But we have plundered her in many ways, disturbed the ecosystem and made the earth almost unliveable. If the world is not habitable, all our knowledge and achievements will be of no use. This initiative by the English department is most welcome. But it alone cannot bring any significant change for the whole country. If all educational institutions of Bangladesh come forward with the same initiative, our country can become greener and more beautiful. The tree plantation initiative taken by JUST not only opens the doors of knowledge to its students but also makes them responsible citizens of society. We believe this decision of the university will play a positive role in upholding social responsibility and protecting the environment.

Ashikujaman Syed,
Foreign Service Officer,
Anhui Haikang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd,
Anqing, China,
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com