Rukhsana Rumi from Netrakona
Trees are important part of the environment. Tree gives us oxygen, fruits, woods, and fuel. The environment will be sound in health if there are trees. So, tree plantation, particularly focusing on plantation of local varieties of trees is very important environment friendly initiative. However, with the opportunity of regular rainfall, the tree-loving people, students and youths of Netrakona region recently have taken initiative to plant fruit, wood and medicinal plant saplings in various educational institutions, along the roadsides and in their homes.
Recently the youths’ organizations in Netrakona region have taken the lead role to plant trees being supported by BARCIK, local administration and educational institutions. Local Government Chairman of Kailati Union Nazmul Haque inaugurated the tree planting program. All the teachers including the secretary of Kailati Union Parishad, local ward members and the headmaster/principal of two educational institutions were present among others. All the teachers and students including the head teachers/principals of the two educational institutions along with the youth organizations made the tree planting program a success. BARCIK provided saplings support to the youths which include 50 Neem, 30 Krishnachura, 20 Jackfruit and 20 Sajna pulses etc. On the other hand, through the initiative of the members of the youth and adolescent organizations, 150 moringa saplings were planted in the homes of different families at Darunbali village.
Nazmul Haque, local government chairman of Kailati Union said, ‘a variety of plants (wood, fruit, herbs and beauty enhancers) provide us with pure oxygen and fresh air and nutrition, as well as delight our minds with the beauty of the exterior flowers. So everyone should plant trees as much as possible to create a better environment.’ ‘Fruits and herbs provide us with essential vitamins and nutrients. We can provide first aid in case of emergency if we have medicinal plants at hand. Flowers give joy to everyone’ he added. He further said, ‘Moringa is one of the most valuable nutritious plants in the world. its leaves and data are very good quality vegetables. The leaves are rich in calcium, iron, Vitamin-C, vitamin-A, protein, potassium and almost all kinds of nutrients.’ He appealed to all the teachers-students and the people of the village to plant as many varieties of trees as possible in this season of tree planting without leaving their homes and lands fallow. He appreciated the efforts of the youth organizations in protecting the environment of the area and assured to stand by their side.
Parag Ahmed, a leading member of the youth organization, said, ‘In continuation of that work, this season also we have taken initiative to plant neem and moringa trees in the local educational institutions and in the families of the villages which do not have moringa and neem trees. This season we have taken initiative to plant 150 moringa in the village. We, in collaboration with the teachers and students of Bali Abbasiya High School and Mauzebali Shahidia Alim Madrasa, have taken initiative to plant 260 saplings and pulses of four types (neem, jackfruit, krishnachura and moringa) in the school premises and in Darunbali village.
SM Yusuf Ali, Dulan, Emon, Harun, Rahad, Riyadh and Piyas of Blood Bonding Youth Organization are among those who led the youth organization in implementing the tree planting program.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin