The Patuakhali coastal forest division has planted about one lakh saplings over a 10-kilometre area in coastal Kalapara, Patuakhali, under the Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods (SUFAL) project, to stop soil erosion, protect the embankment and benefit members of the project.

The afforestation was inaugurated at 5pm on Saturday (6 July) in the jhau forest area of Kuakata beach by Md Harun Or Rashid Khan, forest conservator of the coastal zone, Barishal. Patuakhali coastal forest division's divisional forest officer Md Shafiqul Islam, Mahipur range officer Abul Kalam Azad, local young people and dignitaries were also present.

According to the forest department, a total of one lakh saplings will be planted in 20 rows along both sides of the sea-protection embankment over 10 kilometres from Kuakata zero point to Notunpara. The department said the planting would be completed by the 20th.

To protect against natural disasters and safeguard the embankment, 15 species are being planted, including jhau, akashmoni, arjun, tamarind, ipil-ipil, mahogany, sissoo, jarul and amloki.

Md Harun Or Rashid Khan said the coast is constantly being destroyed by storms, including Cyclone Remal, so today's planting of one lakh saplings under the government's SUFAL project was organised to make the area and the sea-protection embankment sustainable. It will stop soil erosion and protect coastal people from cyclones, while about 50 beneficiaries under the project will also do well, he said.

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