Every citizen should plant at least one tree and take responsibility for looking after it, to protect the environment and counter the damaging effects of climate change, Chattogram city BNP convener and member of parliament Ershad Ullah has said.

He made the call as chief guest at the opening of a tree-planting programme organised by Chattogram city BNP on the grounds of the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram on Thursday, 30 July.

Ershad Ullah said Bangladesh is one of the countries most at risk from climate change. Cyclones, excessive rainfall, floods, river erosion and rising temperatures have become major challenges for the country, and there is no alternative to protecting the environment and greening the land.

He said the BNP's 31-point state reform programme includes a pledge to protect the environment and biodiversity and to build a healthy, liveable Bangladesh. To that end, an initiative has been taken to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years, and every thana, ward and unit of Chattogram city BNP will work to carry it out.

Tree planting must become a social movement, he added. If every citizen plants at least one tree and takes charge of its care, it will be possible to build a green, clean and safe Bangladesh for the next generation.

Speaking as special guest, Chattogram city BNP member secretary Nazimur Rahman said tree planting is not merely a ceremonial programme but an effective way to protect the environment and public health and to deal with the effects of climate change. Every thana, ward and unit in the city, along with the party's associate and affiliated organisations, must therefore plant trees widely and make sure the saplings are cared for.

Joint conveners of Chattogram city BNP Shafiqur Rahman Swapan, Harun Zaman, RU Chowdhury Shaheen, Shawkat Azam Khaja and Yasin Chowdhury Liton, members Khorshed Alam, Zafar Ahmed, Mahabub Rana, Hanif Saudagar and Mohammad Ashraful Islam, and leaders and activists of the city BNP and its associate bodies were also present.

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