Chhatra Dal has held a tree-planting programme in the capital to remember the martyrs of the July uprising and spread the message of environmental protection. The programme was organised by the central committee's vice-president Kazi Zia Uddin Basit and held on Thursday at Bijoy Sarani, Zia Udyan and surrounding areas of Dhaka.

The organisers said the programme was held in memory of the martyrs of the democratic movement and the July 2024 uprising. Saplings of various species were planted with a pledge to keep the environment in balance, tackle the effects of climate change and build a green, clean and prosperous Bangladesh.

Chhatra Dal leaders and activists planted fruit, timber and medicinal tree saplings at different spots. They said environmental protection is vital to a country's sustainable development, and that welfare programmes such as tree planting will continue regularly as part of their political and social responsibility.

At one point something unusual happened. Passing by, State Minister for Forest and Environment Sheikh Faridul Islam saw the programme, got out of his car, greeted the leaders and activists, and took part in the planting himself.

His unexpected presence added to the enthusiasm. Stressing the importance of planting trees to protect the environment, he said tree planting must become a nationwide social movement to meet the challenge of climate change, and that alongside government efforts, such initiatives by political, social and voluntary organisations would help protect the environment.

Chhatra Dal leader Kazi Zia Uddin Basit said the main aim of the programme was to pay tribute to the martyrs of the July uprising, and that there is no alternative to planting trees to build a liveable, green Bangladesh for future generations. He said Chhatra Dal's work for the public interest and the environment, carrying the memory of the martyrs' sacrifice, will continue in future.

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