General people have to come forward to protect the desired forest cover: Environment ministry, Bangladesh
Md Shahab Uddin, the Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Bangladesh), said that “The desired amount of forest land in the country can be achieved through social forestry.”
“A country needs to have 25 percent forest cover, whereas Bangladesh has only at 22.37 percent of the total land. The remaining targets will be achieved by afforestation in the fallow lands, new islands in the seacoast and coastal areas of Bangladesh,” he added.
He said this while inaugurating a program to distribute high-yielding paddy seeds and fertilizers among the farmers free of cost in Barlekha Upazila of Moulvibazar District under the incentive program.
The environment minister further said that “The people have to come forward as it is difficult for the government alone to create the desired amount of forest cover. More trees should be planted around the houses, in open spaces, and in fallow lands.”
“It’s not seeming just about planting trees, it’s about taking proper care of us. If we can create the desired amount of forest, we will be safe from the harmful effects of climate change,” Shahab Uddin added.
Khandaker Mudachir Bin Ali, the Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), presided over the program, and other officials of the Upazila administration were also present during the program.
Under this program, among three thousand farmers in Baralekha Upazila, will distribute high-yielding variety hybrid Boro paddy seeds at the rate of 2 kg per farmer for one bigha land and among 800 farmers, will distribute for each 5 kg of high yielding Boro paddy seeds, 10 kg DAP fertilizer and 10 kg MOP fertilizer in Baralekha Upazila.
