ZCZC
BSS-06
BMDA-PALM-TREE (with picture)
40 lakh palm trees create eye-catching scenario in Barind region
RAJSHAHI, Sept 10, 2020 (BSS) – The Barind Multipurpose Development
Authority (BMDA) has, so far, developed more than 40 lakh palm-trees creating
an eye-catching atmosphere on both sides of the rural roads in the region
including its vast Barind tract.
BMDA Executive Engineer told BSS that the trees were developed on the
roadsides and surroundings of ponds and canals for enhancing production of
molasses (gur) with a view to reducing pressure on imported sugar.
Main thrusts of the plantation programme were to reduce the rate of
casualty caused by thunderbolt, increase forest resources, enhance awareness
of farmers about plantation, improve organic matters status of soil and
create employment opportunities in the area.
“We have an enormous prospect of growing palm, date, palm-oil trees in the
region as there is huge fellow land besides the roads and highways and demand
of the processed items,” he said.
Role of the palm tree is very important to reduce the rate of casualty
caused by thunderbolt that claims the lives of both people and domestic
animals every year, he mentioned.
Roadside palm-tree plantation activities on the improved roads are
progressing successfully that will ultimately help reduce carbon emission at
a substantial level and that is very important to face the adverse impact of
climate change in the vast Barind tract.
In this regard, he also said the role of trees is indispensable in
protecting ecological balance side by side with benefiting the farmers.
BMDA, the ever largest irrigation providing state-owned entity in the
country’s northwest region, has also planted 2.58 crore fruit, forest and
medicinal trees and plants creating greenery look everywhere in the region,
Engineer Latif said.
Besides, it had set the target of planting 1.35 lakh more tree saplings
this year to mark the Mujib Barsha 2020, birth centenary of Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the target has already been
attained.
Of those, 1.22 lakh have, by now, been planted on roadsides and
surroundings of canals and ponds, while another 13,000 at catchment areas of
institutions, graveyards, ashrayan projects, guchhograms and ethnic minority
villages.
“We have also planted 2,000 peanut trees to expand the peanut farming in
the Barind area to mark the Mujib Barsha,” he added.
BSS/AH/RY/13:10 hrs