Ctg Correspondent
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has described tree plantation as a highly virtuous deed and called upon everyone to plant more trees to maintain ecological balance, address the adverse impacts of climate change and ensure a liveable environment for future generations.
He also stressed the importance of forest research and afforestation to further enrich Bangladesh’s forest resources.
The state minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion meeting during his visit to the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) in Chattogram on Sunday.
The meeting was held at the BFRI auditorium, with Chief Research Officer Dr Hasina Mariam in the chair. During the meeting, Chief Research Officer Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting BFRI’s research activities, achievements and future plans.
In his speech, the state minister said there was no alternative to research for protecting the country’s forests and environment. He stressed the need for research on developing improved tree varieties, ensuring proper management of forest resources and strengthening the country’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
He also emphasised the importance of applying research findings and modern technologies at the field level.
“A tree does not only help maintain ecological balance; it is also closely linked to people’s lives and livelihoods,” he said, urging everyone to come forward and plant trees from their respective positions.
Describing tree plantation as a highly virtuous deed, Sheikh Faridul Islam encouraged people to plant more trees and contribute to environmental protection.
At the meeting, BFRI presented the state minister with a crest as a token of greetings and congratulations. The meeting was moderated by Dr Wahida Parvin, Divisional Officer of the Silviculture Genetics Division.
Following the meeting, the state minister planted a white sandalwood sapling on the BFRI campus. He stressed the importance of planting environmentally beneficial and valuable tree species as part of the country’s afforestation efforts.
Earlier, as part of his BFRI visit, the state minister inspected the nursery of the Silviculture Genetics Division. He observed ongoing research activities, including the grafting of five high-yielding rubber clones recently sent by the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.
The five clones are RRISL 203, RRISL 208, RRISL 211, RRISL 219 and RRISL 2001.
During the nursery visit, the state minister received detailed information from the concerned officials about research on high-yielding rubber varieties, grafting techniques and the potential future use of the clones. He also emphasised the importance of research to increase rubber production in the country and create new opportunities in the sector.
Later, the state minister attended a discussion meeting with forest officials at Chattogram Circuit House on the five-year programme to plant 250 million trees.
The meeting discussed strategies for implementing the programme, selecting suitable locations for tree plantation, producing and distributing saplings, and ensuring proper care and protection of trees after plantation.
Officials concerned said that alongside large-scale tree plantation, ensuring the long-term survival and proper maintenance of planted trees was essential. They emphasised coordinated participation from the Forest Department, local administration, various institutions and the general public.
The meeting also stressed effective field-level initiatives to implement such programmes as part of a long-term plan for environmental protection and sustainable afforestation.
