International Day of Forests was celebrated in Noakhali through various programmes including balloon hoisting, rally, discussion meeting. On the occasion of the day, a rescued eagle was released in the sky.
The day started auspiciously by hoisting balloons in front of Noakhali Coastal Forest Department office at 11 am on Tuesday. Later, a rally came out from the front of the office and ended in front of the Guest House of the Forest Department at the end of the front road circuit. Later a discussion meeting was held in the hall room of the guest house.
Coastal Forest Division Noakhali Assistant Forest Conservator Kazi Tariqur Rahman presided over the discussion meeting as chief guest, Farid Mia, Divisional Forest Officer of Coastal Forest Division Noakhali.
Dr Abdus Salam, associate professor of environmental science and disaster management department of Noakhali Science and Technology University, was present as the main speaker at the programme, supervised by Sadar Range Officer ASM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer Ibrahim Khalil delivered the welcome speech. Among others, students of various educational institutions, journalists and forest department officials were also present.
Speakers said that the role of forests is most important to protect from the dire dangers of climate change. If there are trees, the environment and the country will be safe. Along with increasing oxygen, green forests also maintain the balance of the environment. The speakers also mentioned that the main goal of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests to sustain the existence of animals in the world.
It should be noted that March 21 was declared as the International Day of Forests in the United Nations General Assembly meeting held in 2012 to protect the security of forests and forest lands. Since then, the day is celebrated on March 21 in various events all over the world.