ZCZC
BSS-40
MINISTER-FOREST-COVERAGE
Govt targets to increase country’s green coverage to 24pc by 2025
DHAKA, Apr 29, 2021 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said the government has set a target to increase the country’s green coverage to 24 percent by 2025.
“At least 25 percent forest coverage is necessary to maintain ecological balance of a country. As a result of afforestation programmes, including social forestry and tree plantation, the tree-covered area of the country stands at 22.38 percent now. The government has taken a challenge to make it 24 percent by 2025,” he said.
The environment minister was speaking at a virtual dialogue from his official residence here, a ministry press release said.
Youthnet for Climate Justice and Paribesh o Haor Unnayan Sangstha jointly arranged the virtual dialogue titled, ‘Road to Glasgow: Restoring Our Earth and Climate Protection’ marking the World Earth Day 2021.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab Uddin said the Forest Department is working massively to meet the country’s demand of forest resources, conserve wildlife and biodiversity and enhance the socioeconomic condition of rural people though social forestation.
As a result, he said, a mark success has been achieved in afforestation programmes, coastal afforestation and climate change adaptation, social afforestation and women empowerment.
He said the government has taken various initiatives to ensure the visible improvement of Bangladesh’s environment and deal with the adverse impacts of climate change, which has been recognised globally.
Noting that the present government is working relentlessly to check environmental pollution, the minister said the world must take united efforts to prevent global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Shahab Uddin said this is the high time for the world community to take initiatives aiming to build a safer world for the future generations.
Chaired by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Riaz Hamidullah, additional secretary (Environment Division) of the ministry Md Moniruzzaman, country director of Action Aid Bangladesh Farah Kabir, gender and human rights activist Shipa Hafiza and Paribesh o Haor Unnayan Sangstha president Kasmir Reza.
BSS/PR/MRI/RY/1920hrs