Osman Gani

Now is the rainy season, the right time to plant trees. We must plant a sufficient amount of trees now to protect the balance of our environment, for the sake of the country and its people. For the citizens of a country to live healthily, there is not enough forest area in our country, and the country's forests are being cleared in various ways day by day. To fill this deficit, we must plant a sufficient amount of new trees.

The world today is facing the terrible reality of climate change, global warming, air pollution, deforestation and natural disasters. Just as human life is dependent on modernity today, so too has our dependence on nature never diminished. Yet, for our own sake, we are destroying the balance of nature. As a result, temperatures are rising, the monsoon cycle is changing, rivers are drying up, and biodiversity is weakening. The only way out of this crisis is to reconnect with nature—and the most effective way to do this is to plant trees. Because trees are not just natural beauty; they are life, breath, food, shelter and future security.

“Plant trees, save the environment”—this slogan is not just a string of words; it is now a call to save existence. In this article, we will discuss the importance of trees, the image of forests in the context of Bangladesh, the need for public awareness and how this movement can be made society-wide. When the shadow of climate change has fallen on every corner of the world, we have to think anew about tree planting. We must not just think, we must walk the path of implementation. Because, the question of the survival of today's generation and future generations is involved in it. “Plant trees, save the environment”—this sentence is no longer just an awareness campaign, it is now an absolute necessity, reality and national duty.

Bangladesh is a country full of natural beauty. Once upon a time, shady trees could be seen everywhere in the country. But today, that scene is not so visible. In the name of development, in the pursuit of urbanization, and under the pretext of housing or industrial construction, our environment is under threat today due to indiscriminate cutting of trees and deforestation. The United Nations Environment Report says that Bangladesh is one of the countries vulnerable to climate change. Temperatures are constantly increasing, rainfall patterns are changing, and natural disasters are increasing. One of the reasons behind this disaster is the destruction of forests and deforestation.

Trees are not only beautiful, they are a direct part of our lives. Trees give us oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent air pollution, increase rainfall, prevent soil erosion, prevent natural disasters, and serve as a shelter for animals. A mature tree can absorb up to 21 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Not only that, trees reduce heat, retain moisture, absorb water, and keep the land fertile. They provide shade on city streets and play a role in preventing noise pollution. Trees also bring peace of mind. Research has shown that people feel better in a green environment, stress decreases, and mental concentration increases.

The amount of forest land in Bangladesh is much less than required. According to globally accepted standards, a country should have at least 25% forest land. But currently, Bangladesh has only 11-13% forest land, which is very inadequate. Although there are some forests on paper, in reality, much of it has been cleared or occupied. Many forests, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sundarbans, and Shalban regions, are now victims of various types of aggression. On the other hand, the rate of forest land in the plains, especially in North Bengal and the southwest, is very low.

Blaming the government alone does not end the responsibility. Each of us is directly and indirectly responsible for this disaster. Some may cut trees on their own land, while others cut trees on the roadside to do business. We ourselves have made cities without shade. We have sacrificed natural facilities for the sake of civic amenities. But nature has taken its revenge in its own way—floods, droughts, cyclones, tidal waves, waterlogging, soil erosion, depletion of natural resources—all these are its reflections.

The most effective way to overcome this situation is tree planting and afforestation. Trees can be planted along the roadside, on the banks of rivers, on wasteland, in school and college premises, next to playgrounds, in the courtyard of houses and even on rooftops. As much as planting trees is necessary, it is also important to nurture and maintain them. In the case of tree planting, place, environment and time should be taken into consideration. Native species of trees should be planted in harmony with the soil and climate of each area. Foreign or unnatural trees often pose a threat to the environment.

If an environmentally friendly attitude can be created among today's children and adolescents, the future generation will be aware, environmentally friendly and responsible. For this reason, the importance of planting trees should be discussed in more detail in school and college textbooks. The ‘One Student, One Tree’ program can be launched. Organizing tree plantation festivals in educational institutions, providing annual competitions and incentives will increase interest in it.

The government observes tree plantation weeks. But it is often limited to paper campaigns. Local administration, public representatives, non-governmental organizations, environmental organizations and the media - everyone has to work together. Special incentives should be taken for social forestry programs, rural forestry, coastal forestry and planting fruit-forest trees. If the people of the villages can be convinced - trees are not only an asset for the environment, but also for the economy - then they will plant and maintain trees with enthusiasm.

In addition, roof gardens are also a promising initiative today. If trees are planted on the roofs of houses in the city If it is a roof garden, it will help reduce the temperature. Roof gardens will not only help the environment, but also help meet the nutritional needs of the family. It will be possible to ensure the food security of the family by producing organic fruits and vegetables.

If we look at it from a religious perspective, it will be seen that Islam and other religions have also encouraged tree planting. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “If a Muslim plants a tree, and a person, bird or animal eats from it, it will be considered a charity for him.” (Bukhari)

There is no alternative to planting trees to save the environment. Now is the time to create public awareness and turn tree planting into a social movement. “The more trees, the more lives”—we must accept this understanding in our hearts.

A statistic can be cited—according to the World Health Organization, there should be 9 square meters of green space per capita for a city dweller. But in Dhaka, it is not even 1.5 square meters. Therefore, personal and social initiatives are needed to eliminate this insufficiency. Along with government regulations and plans, civic responsibility is also very important.

Finally, planting trees is not a one-day task; it is a continuous responsibility. It is not just planting trees and taking pictures—the tree needs to be looked after until it becomes self-sufficient. We need to plant trees now to leave a livable world for our children and future generations.

Protecting the environment is not just the government's responsibility, it is the moral and civic duty of all of us. A tree means a life, a future. If we all plant at least one tree today and take care of it, we can leave a green, healthy and livable world for future generations. Let's make planting trees a habit, not just for ourselves but for the entire human race.

The writer is journalist and columnist.He can be reached at email postnews25@gmail.com