Chattogram City Corporation mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain has announced that 10 lakh trees will be planted to restore Chattogram's environmental balance.

He made the announcement on Saturday, 9 August, at the Tree Plantation Drive-2025, held on the playground of the Baklia Kalpalok Residential Area (Phase 2) Plot Owners' Welfare Association.

"We are working to plant 10 lakh trees to restore the environmental balance of Chattogram and build a clean and green city. Work has begun to beautify every ward through greening. Besides funding from Chattogram City Corporation, various social organisations are being brought into the greening effort," the mayor said.

He said trees matter even more in Chattogram because of its natural beauty and hill areas. Keeping the environment in balance as the city grows fast is vital. The trees of Chattogram's hills not only add to its beauty but play an important role in preventing soil erosion, floods and landslides. Protecting the forests and green areas around the city and planting trees along rivers and the sea will help improve Chattogram's environment and liveability, he said. Trees are not just an ornament but part of people's lives in Chattogram, because they help regulate the city's climate and make it greener, safer and more liveable.

"We must protect our natural resources, so it is vital to refrain from deforestation, hill cutting and felling trees. Strong laws and strict enforcement are needed to stop such activities. In Toronto, Canada, for example, cutting a tree without permission brings a fine of Tk 3 to 4 lakh. Our country needs similar penalties too, so that environmental damage is reduced and our relationship with nature is strengthened," the mayor said.

The event was presided over by Professor Dr Mohammad Kamal Hossain. Also present were Chattogram Development Authority chairman Engineer Md Nurul Karim, Abdur Rahman, Muminul Haque, S.M. Kaiser, Advocate Azizur Rahman and Nazrul Islam, among others.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.