Local groups in Rajshahi joined hands with farmers, youth and environmental activists to restore native tree cover and strengthen community-based conservation efforts.
A seed planting campaign was held in Baragachhi village of Paba Upazila in Rajshahi district on Wednesday to encourage local youth and promote environmental and biodiversity conservation.
The daylong campaign was organised by the Baragachhi Farmers Unity Organisation, Baragachhi Women Development Organisation, Green Coalition and Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), with participants planting palm and debdaru seeds along open spaces beside roads in Baragachhi Union.
Organisers said palm trees are an important part of Bangladesh’s rural environment and biodiversity. They said palm trees help prevent soil erosion, contribute to a cooler environment and serve as habitats for birds and other wildlife. They added that palm trees also provide food and other useful materials.
They said increasing the number of palm trees could play an important role in conserving the environment and biodiversity.
Representatives of Green Coalition and BARCIK, along with local residents, farmers, youths and environmental activists, took part in the campaign.
Mosa: Rahima Begum, president of the Paba Upazila Green Coalition, said, “Palm trees are deeply connected with our rural life. Compared to the past, the number of palm trees has declined in many areas. If palm seeds are planted again, many palm trees will grow in the future and our environment will become greener and more beautiful.”
Md Abdul Jabbar, president of the Baragachhi Farmers Unity Organisation, said, “Planting palm seeds is not just an act of planting trees, it is an initiative to create a green environment for future generations. If palm seeds are planted in a planned way beside roads and in unused areas, it will help protect the environment while people will also benefit from palm trees in the future. Everyone should come forward to support such initiatives.”
Farmer Md Raihan Ali Jewel said, “Palm trees can play an important role in addressing the impacts of climate change and conserving biodiversity. Through the palm seed planting campaign, people are being made aware not only about planting trees but also about their care and protection. It is not enough to just plant seeds, we also have to take responsibility for nurturing each seed into a mature tree through regular care.”
Touhidul Islam, programme officer at BARCIK, said, “With the aim of protecting environmental balance, addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring a green and safe environment for future generations, BARCIK is implementing a programme to plant 1 million seeds and saplings in the Barind region. As part of that initiative, 1,000 palm seeds and 2,000 debdaru seeds were planted in Baragachhi today.”
He added that alongside planting palm seeds, local people are being informed about the environmental, economic and social importance of palm trees, and such environmentally friendly activities will continue.
