Rangpur Correspondent

Officials in a function have called for massive tree plantation to adapt to climate change, create greenery, improve the environment and ecosystems and create jobs to cut poverty.

They made the call at the inaugural function of a fortnight-long 'Divisional Tree Fair -2024' held on the Zila School ground in the city on Tuesday evening.

The district administration and Social Forestry Division jointly organized the fair to create awareness among people on the enormous importance of tree plantation to adapt climate change and improve the environment.

Different government and non-government organisations, nursery owners and entrepreneurs had set up 56 stalls on the fairground displaying saplings of timber, fruit, medicinal and ornamental plants.

Acting Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Azmal Hossain attended the function as the chief guest with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Foysal in the chair.

Deputy Commissioner of Police of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Abu Bakar Siddique, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rangpur Range Police Md Mizanur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sharif Uddin, Divisional Director of the Department of Forest AKM Rafikul Islam and Divisional Forest Officer Mollah Mohammad Mizanur Rahman addressed the function as special guests.

Officials and employees of the divisional, district and police administrations, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Forest, nursery owners, students, teachers and farmers, among others, were present.

The speakers discussed the necessity of tree plantation, its economic and nutritional benefits and significance in building a green nature to cope with adverse impacts of climate change and keep the planet liveable for next generations.

Terming trees as true friends of mankind, the chief guest said, "The essence of tree plantation is enormous as trees play the most crucial role in biodiversity enrichment, sustainable environmental protection, environmental balance and socio-economic progress."

He stressed on increasing forest area through massive tree plantation to reduce environmental degradation and discussed economic and nutritional aspects of wood, fruit and medicinal and ornamental trees.

"Everyone should plant tree saplings to build a green nature, meet nourishment and get economic benefits to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for accelerating national progress," he said.

He expressed optimism that this kind of tree fair will encourage people to plant more trees.