Dhaka: CHT Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue Jerry emphasized the importance of selecting high value plants for the ambitious plan to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years. Addressing a discussion on "Greening of Dhaka to Combat Climate Change," he called for collaborative efforts towards environmentally friendly development in Bangladesh.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister highlighted that currently, saplings of less valuable trees are often planted, whereas certain trees could yield significant financial returns, potentially earning Taka one lakh each after a few years or producing annual fruit yields. The meeting, organized by Dhakar Sekhor and GreenWatch Dhaka at the Jatiya Press Club, featured notable guests including Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor of GreenWatch Dhaka, Ayub Bhuiyan, General Secretary of the National Press Club, and Dr. Mehedi Masud, an agriculture expert.
Sa Ching Prue Jerry suggested utilizing spaces such as hill circles, roads, and railway lines for the tree plantation project, emphasizing the careful selection of tree species for these areas. He also stressed the importance of improving Dhaka's environment to make it more livable, suggesting that building rooftops could serve as alternative sites for planting trees due to limited open spaces in the city.
The minister also addressed climate change concerns, warning that one-tenth of the country could be submerged by 2050, displacing 1.5 crore people. He urged the exploration of overseas job opportunities for the increasing number of migrants moving to Dhaka.
Mostafa Kamal Majumder praised the government's initiatives, which include tree planting, canal digging, and efforts to combat dengue, stating that success should be measured by access to clean air, healthy food, and equitable national wealth distribution. He encouraged the government to harness public wisdom in its developmental endeavors.
Dr. Mehedi Masud advocated for proper care in rooftop gardening to maximize vegetable and fruit yields, sharing techniques for improved gardening practices. Minister Sa Ching Prue Jerry concluded the event by distributing saplings of fruit-bearing trees to roof gardeners.