Satkhira Correspondent

A human chain was held in Shyamnagar of Satkhira demanding reduction in the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals in agriculture.

On the occasion of World Pesticide Free Day, Sundarban Student Solidarity Team, Green Coalition, Youth Voluntary Coordinating Committee and Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) jointly organized this human chain in front of Shyamnagar Press Club on Tuesday.

Speakers participating in the human chain said that the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture is increasing day by day. Because of this, not only biodiversity is under threat, but also public health is at extreme risk. For safe food production, the use of chemical pesticides should be reduced and the use of organic pesticides should be increased. Be aware of protection of biodiversity, environment and public health. The government should also take initiative to publicize the issue.

The convenor of Green Solidarity Kumud Ranjan Gayen, presided over the program while The member secretary of the Sundarban Student Solidarity Team Saidul Islam, member of youth volunteer coordination committee Shamim Hossain, President of Sonamugari Farmers-Fishermen Welfare Association Kohinoor Bibi, President of Farmers-Researchers Team Habibur Rahman, joint convener of Sabuj Saghati Piyush Baulia Pintu, journalist Sheikh Afzalur Rahman, regional coordinator of BARCIK Ramkrishna Jowardar and youth organizer S.M. Osman Gani Sohag spoke among others.

It is noted that, International Pesticide Free Day is celebrated annually on December 3rd to commemorate the Bhopal disaster in 1984. The disaster occurred at a pesticide factory in Bhopal, India, killing thousands and injuring hundreds of thousands. The day is also a reminder of the need to protect human health and the environment from the potential damage of pesticides.