RANGPUR, July 30, 2019 (BSS) – Extensive forestation has become imperative
in the pretext of changing climate to improve environment, ecology and
biodiversity along with cutting poverty to achieve economic self-reliance.
Government officials and experts expressed the view at the concluding and
prize distribution function of a 20-day ‘Divisional Wood, Fruit and Medicinal
Tree Fair -2019’ held on Zila School ground in the city on Monday evening.
The district administration jointly with Social Forestry Division and
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) organised the fair to create public
awareness on importance of tree plantation to increase forest area and
bolster economy in the country.
Fifty stalls were set up on the fair ground by government and non-
governmental organisations, nursery owners and entrepreneurs displaying
saplings of various timber, fruit and medicinal plants.
Divisional Commissioner KM Tariqul Islam attended the concluding function
and distributed prizes among three best stall owners and nursery owners as
the chief guest with Deputy Commissioner Asib Ahsan in the chair.
He also distributed Taka one lakh among ten people each for their
contribution to social forestation and three tree saplings among each of the
500 students of different educational institutions of the city.
Police Super of Rangpur Range Enamul Haque, Additional Police Super Maruf
Hossain, General Secretary of city Awami League (AL) Tushar Kanti Mandal and
its district unit Office Secretary Tauhidur Rahman Tutul, addressed as
special guests.
Divisional Forest Officer Md. Rafikuzzaman Shah delivered welcome speech
narrating beneficial aspects of forests and roles of trees in human life,
maintaining environmental equilibrium and improving economic condition of
common people.
The chief guest stressed increasing forest coverage to 25 percent of the
total land area through massive tree plantation on fallow lands, premises of
offices, institutions, roadside areas and open places to reduce environmental
degradation and improve economy.
He called upon everyone, especially young generations, for planting minimum
three tree saplings by each annually to improve environment along with
meeting nutrition and getting huge economic benefits to speed up national
progress.