Plea to observe \\\'Sundarbans Day\\\' nationally

BAGERHAT, Feb 14 (agencies): Speakers at a discussion Saturday urged the government to observe 'Sundarbans Day' nationally for raising awareness among people about the importance of protecting the world's largest mangrove forest.
At the discussion organised by Bagerhat Press Club, they said the people of different coastal districts adjacent to the Sundarbans, including Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira, have been observing 'Sundarbans Day' on the day since 2002.
The event was presided over by president of Bagerhat Press Club Advocate Mohammad Shah Alam Tuku while Advocate Mir Shawkat Ali Badshah, MP was present as the chief guest.
Acting deputy commissioner of Bagerhat Mohammad Shah Alam Sardar, advocate Ramkrishna Basu, advocate Parveen Ahmed, secretary of Bagerhat Press Club Mafizur Rahman Mahfuz were, among others, present on the occasion.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Khokon, director of Rupantor, a Khulna-based non-government organisation, said the decision of observing the 'Sundarbans Day' was taken at the first Sundarbans conference, organised by Rupantar, Khulna University and Bapa, in Khulna on February 14, 2001 where they had also urged the government to observe the day at the national level.
Although different press clubs, Sundarbans Academy and other organisations in the coastal districts have been observing the day since 2002 but their demand for observing the day nationally remained unheeded for the last 14 years, he said.
Prof Dr Mahmud Hossain of Khulna University Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline said if the government takes an initiative to observe the 'Sundarbans Day' nationally, people will get a chance to know more about the Sundarbans and also it will create interest among them about the forest.
Several organisations have chalked out various programmes, including discussions and rallies, in Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira districts to mark the day.
Rupantar submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner (DC) of Khulna to press home their several demands, including observation of Sundarbans Day nationally.
Meanwhile, Sunderban Academy and Forest Department jointly organised various programmes to mark the day Saturday with the assistance of NGO Rupantor, CREL, Concern Worldwide, Relief International, Wild Team and Khulna Press Club.
The two day-long programmes include discussion meeting, cultural function and art competition among the school students with the theme "Sunderban in our mind," and prize distribution.
Ambassador and chief of European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Peari Mayadon addressed the discussion meeting as chief guest held on City's Shilpakala Academy premises.
Chaired by executive director of Sunderban Academy Anwarul Kadir, the meeting was addressed by Mizanur Rahman Mizan MP, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Abdus Samad, Conservator of Forest of Khulna Circle Kartik Chandra Sarker, Convener of Sunderban Supporter Committee Liakat Ali and others.