TANGAIL, MAY 25 (V7N) – Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources in Bangladesh's interim government, today emphasized the critical need to engage the new generation in a nature-friendly development process. Speaking at the inauguration of a five lakh tree plantation program at Janaseba Chattar in Tangail, she stressed a shift away from destructive development practices.

"We need to involve the new generation in a nature-friendly development process from our destructive development process," Adviser Hasan stated. She announced that "five lakh trees will be planted in Tangail – indigenous trees have been selected." These trees, she explained, are not merely for greening, but will also provide "good oxygen, reduce pollution, and provide shelter for birds." She also highlighted the importance of fostering a "spiritual relationship with the trees" among those who plant them, emphasizing, "We will not just plant the trees, we will take care of them and look after them." Earlier, she personally planted two saplings at the Janaseba Chattar.

The Environment Adviser lamented past practices that have damaged natural resources. "We disturb nature by cutting down trees through various activities, saying, 'We will cut down 20,000 trees and plant 40,000 trees.' That is why we are facing such a big problem," she said. "You can bring back some natural conditions, but you cannot bring back everything. There was no need for a tree plantation program in Bangladesh – we were so rich in natural resources. We have tortured nature so much, now we have to work to correct it. Today's work is very important. We have to take initiatives to bring back the destroyed or almost destroyed natural conditions."

Later in the afternoon, Adviser Hasan participated in a sal sapling planting program in the Telki area of Madhupur, under the Tangail Forest Department. During this event, she announced the withdrawal of 129 cases filed by the Forest Department against forest dwellers, including small ethnic groups, in Madhupur.

Addressing the forest dwellers directly, she urged them to play a role in protecting the sal forest by planting more and more sal trees in the upcoming monsoon season. She also noted that students are being involved in these activities and that boundary pillars are being installed to identify encroached areas within the forest.

Adviser Hasan stated that the commercial planting of eucalyptus and acacia trees in the forest would be gradually stopped. She also inaugurated the activities of the 'Madhupur Forest Restoration through the Participation of Local Communities' project by inspecting boundary marking work in the Rajabari area of the Madhupur forest and installing boundary pillars.

Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman, Tangail Divisional Forest Officer Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, renowned wildlife expert Professor Dr. Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, and Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, along with officials from the district administration and forest department, were present at both programs.

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