DU Correspondent

A month-long tree plantation and science fair titled 'Science Fair in Search of Future Scientists' has been inaugurated on the occasion of the 45th martyrdom anniversary of martyr President Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice-President and eminent cardiologist Dr. Zubaida Rahman inaugurated the month-long program as the chief guest by planting neem saplings on the premises of Curzon Hall on Wednesday.

Later, a discussion meeting was held at the Central Gallery of the Department of Botany, Dhaka University. The program was organized by Ziaur Rahman Foundation.

The discussion meeting was chaired by the Executive Director (Acting) of Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Prof Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam and former Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Prof Dr. AFM Yusuf Haider spoke as special guests. The program was conducted by Professor Md. Lutfar Rahman, convener of the 45th martyrdom anniversary celebration committee of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin) Prof Dr. Mohammad Almojaddidi Alfesani, Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, along with proctors, deans of various faculties, principals of various halls, directors of Ziaur Rahman Foundation, teachers and students were present.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, a renowned cardiologist and Vice President of Ziaur Rahman Foundation, said that teachers and students can make an effective contribution in protecting the environment and finding scientific solutions to various problems of the country. She called on everyone to work from their respective positions to make the present world more beautiful, green and livable for future generations. She said that tree plantation should not be kept in the traditional program but should be transformed into a green revolution of economic and social development with the participation of the people. For this purpose, she emphasized on the formation of green volunteerism, climate youth fellowship and environmental startup fund.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam said that the current government is giving top priority to environmental conservation, increasing climate resilience and national development. For this purpose, the government has taken a program to plant 250 million trees in the next 5 years. This will play an important role in preserving the environment and biodiversity and increasing climate resilience.

Former Vice Chancellor Emeritus Prof Dr. AFM Yusuf Haider said, "We are standing at a time when climate change has emerged as one of the major challenges of human civilization. The average temperature of the earth is continuously increasing. Cyclones, floods, droughts, heavy rains, river erosion and sea level rise have become a cause of global concern.

Ziaur Rahman Foundation Executive Director (Acting) Prof Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan said, tree plantation and afforestation is a national responsibility. The philosophy of that responsibility was first expressed in the voice of martyred President Ziaur Rahman at the state level. In 1978, when the word climate change had not come into global discussion, Ziaur Rahman recognized tree plantation as a national program.