Chhatrashibir announces month-long Tree Plantation Campaign
Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has announced a month-long (June 15 to July 14) Tree Plantation Campaign-2024 program in continuation of the previous years with the slogan,
"Let's plant trees,
at least one piece.
Let our souls feel the healthy
air of the green country".
Central President Monzurul Islam was present as the chief guest in the program's opening ceremony. At that time, Secretary General Zahidul Islam and other central leaders were also present at the program.
In the speech of the chief guest, the Central President said, "Chhatrashibir is a conscious and responsible student organization. It has been playing a leading role in fulfilling needs of the nation since its inception. It is working towards building a happy-prosperous and liveable country. This beloved organization has become a symbol of people's trust due to its role in building the country through its 48-year journey. Global warming is increasing everyday. Every year, in Bangladesh, the temperature is breaking the record of the previous year. Keeping this alarming rise in temperature in mind, this year like every year, Chhatrashibir has announced its month-long tree plantation drive.”
He further said, “Due to unplanned industrialization and uncontrolled deforestation of the country, forestry area is decreasing day by day at an alarming rate. Especially in urban areas including the capital, the number of trees is decreasing day by day. In the last 28 years, 24 square kilometers of water-reservoirs and 10 square kilometers of greenery have been lost from the urban space of Dhaka. Now even at the district and upazila level, construction of unplanned buildings is going on by filling ponds or water reservoirs. What is alarming is that the name of the capital Dhaka repeatedly keeps appearing on the list of the most polluted cities in the world!”
He further said, “To build a balanced environment in the country, joint efforts from all quarters are required. For this purpose, Chhatrashibir has taken the initiative of planting trees on a month-long basis. Every manpower has been instructed to participate in this program. Students from all walks of life are invited to participate in this program of Chhatrashibir. Let us all build a happy-prosperous and green habitat.”
Central President auspiciously inaugurated the nationwide tree plantation drive program by distributing and planting tree saplings among the students.
It should be noted that every year Chhatrashibir has been holding a tree plantation program. Chhatrashibir has implemented various significant programs in the past few years. In 2023, Chhatrashibir planted 50,000 trees in Dhaka and its surrounding areas, with an emphasis on the capital.
Besides, 10 students who have planted maximum number of trees are given “Paribesh Bandhu Award” for their role in helping the environment. In 2022, gardens were established in the name of 234 martyrs of Chhatrashibir. In 2021, more than 2 lakh trees were planted with the initial aim of planting at least 1 lakh 47 thousand trees, or one in every square kilometer of the country.
Important programs this year include planting trees in the courtyards of educational institutions and mosques, the systematic and planned planting of trees to prevent any erosion including river erosion and embankment. Besides, this includes planting trees in the yard or roof of the house, especially in the Dhaka City Corporation area, taking special initiatives to create a garden on the balcony, roof of the house, etc.
This year's tree plantation drive of Chhatrashibir also includes a program to take care of the saplings which were planted in the year before.