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Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue Jerry has stressed the need for selecting high-value and productive tree species under the government’s plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years.
He also called for collective efforts to promote environmentally friendly development and improve the quality of life in Bangladesh.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion on “Greening Dhaka to Combat Climate Change” and a sapling distribution programme at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the Jatiya Press Club on Friday.
Dhakar Shekhor and GreenWatch Dhaka jointly organised the programme.
Sa Ching Prue Jerry said relatively low-value tree species are often planted, although there are many varieties that can generate significant economic returns through their timber or fruit.
“Some trees can be worth Tk 1 lakh after a few years, while others can produce fruits regularly and generate lucrative earnings,” he said, stressing the importance of giving greater attention to the selection of species before large-scale plantation.
He said hill areas, roadsides and railway corridors could provide substantial space for planting a large number of trees under the five-year plantation programme.
“The selection of tree species for plantation should be given importance,” he said.
The minister also stressed the need to improve Dhaka’s environment and make the capital more liveable. With open spaces increasingly scarce in the densely populated city, he suggested using building rooftops as alternative spaces for growing trees and plants.
Referring to the growing threat of climate change and sea-level rise, Sa Ching Prue Jerry said around one-tenth of Bangladesh could go under water by 2050, potentially displacing around 1.5 crore people.
He also expressed concern over the increasing migration of people from different parts of the country to Dhaka and stressed the importance of creating employment opportunities abroad to reduce pressure on the capital.
GreenWatch Dhaka Editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder welcomed the government’s initiatives to plant 25 crore trees, dig 20,000 kilometres of canals and conduct cleanliness campaigns to help combat dengue.
He said the success of development initiatives should ultimately be measured by whether people have access to clean air, safe food and water, as well as an equitable share of national wealth.
He urged the government to draw on the collective wisdom and knowledge of the people in its efforts to achieve progress and prosperity.
Krishibid Dr Mehedi Masud emphasised the potential of rooftop gardening in making better use of unused urban spaces.
He urged rooftop gardeners to properly care for plants and creepers to obtain optimum yields of vegetables and fruits. He also explained several techniques for improving rooftop gardening and increasing productivity.
The minister later distributed saplings of fruit-bearing trees among rooftop gardeners, encouraging greater participation in urban greening initiatives.
The programme was presided over by Motaleb Mashreki, Trustee of Dhaka Shekhor, and moderated by Rafiqul Islam Azad.
Ayub Bhuiyan, General Secretary of the National Press Club, was also present as a special guest.