Campaigners said tobacco cultivation in Ghior is harming soil, health and the environment, urging local authorities to promote safer and more profitable food crops.
Environmental campaigners and community representatives in central Bangladesh have called for curbs on tobacco farming and a shift toward alternative food crops, submitting a memorandum to local authorities in Ghior upazila of Manikganj district.
The demand was made at an opinion-sharing meeting held on August 13 at Meghbalika Restaurant near the Panchrasta Intersection in Ghior under the slogan, “We want food, not tobacco; we want toxic-free agriculture.”
The event was jointly organised by the non-governmental development organisation BARCIK and the Green Coalition Committee.
Following the meeting, copies of the memorandum urging necessary measures to reduce tobacco cultivation were submitted to the Ghior Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the Upazila Agriculture Officer and the Ghior Press Club.
Freedom Fighter Shamsul Alam Khan, joint convenor of the Green Coalition Manikganj Committee, chaired the meeting.
Speakers included former teacher and social worker Momtaz Begum, Shah Md. Harun Chishti, Lecturer Delwar Rahman Khan, cultural activist Shamsul Alam, theatre personality Moin Biswas, Headmaster of Helachia Mazeda Chowdhury High School Md. Masudul Alam, journalist Al Mamun and youth representative Shirin Akter, among others.
Speakers said tobacco is now being cultivated extensively in various fields across Singjuri, Baliakhora and Baniyajuri within Ghior Upazila.
They said tobacco farming severely degrades soil fertility and poses a serious threat to the environment and public health.
The speakers urged a strong shift toward eco-friendly and profitable alternative food crops on land now used for tobacco cultivation.
Organisers said further programmes, including a larger upazila-level discussion on the hazards of tobacco and alternative agriculture, are scheduled for September 5.
