Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain has said the city will plant 10 lakh trees to protect the environment and build a green Chattogram. "Trees are our greatest friends. By giving us oxygen through photosynthesis and absorbing carbon dioxide, they make it possible for us to live," he said.

He was speaking on Wednesday, 13 August, at the opening of a seven-day tree fair at the city's Laldighi ground. Plants of every colour are on sale at 61 stalls, and the fair runs until 19 August.

Speaking as chief guest, Dr Shahadat Hossain said that from an Islamic point of view, too, planting trees is a virtuous act: as long as a tree lives, the reward is recorded in the planter's book of deeds.

He explained to students the importance of planting and caring for trees and urged them to build clean habits. Recalling the past, the mayor said Bangladesh was once full of forests and green trees, but unchecked encroachment, the levelling of hills and the destruction of forests had shrunk the green cover, so everyone should take part in tree planting of their own accord.

He stressed collective efforts to create a healthy, clean and green urban environment for children. He told students to put rubbish in bins rather than throwing it out of windows or onto the street, so that drains do not fill up and the environment stays protected. Brushing teeth before bed and in the morning and eating breakfast help children's physical and mental development, he said, adding that students should learn to work honestly and stand by friends in trouble.

The event was presided over by CCC chief executive officer Sheikh Muhammad Tauhidul Islam. Also present were CCC secretary Ashraful Amin, chief education officer Dr Kissinger Chakma, chief engineer Anisur Rahman and town planner Abdullah Al Omar, along with CCC department and section heads and school students.

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