BARCIK and Netrakona Green Coalition launched a tree adoption drive on World Environment Day, encouraging 20 participants to take responsibility for caring for trees through pledges and agreements.
A distinctive “tree adoption” programme was held in Netrakona on World Environment Day, with organisers saying the initiative aimed to build personal responsibility for tree care under the slogan “My Tree, My Responsibility.”
The event was organised on Friday afternoon, June 5, at the century-old banyan tree site at Kalibari Mor in Netrakona town by the non-governmental research organisation BARCIK and the Netrakona Green Coalition Committee. The programme was inaugurated by veteran teacher Ranjan Sarkar.
As part of the event, 20 women, men and children formally adopted trees through a pledge-taking ceremony and the signing of agreements by donors and recipients. Children, students, young people, senior citizens and people from different professions took part.
Participants displayed placards carrying messages such as “One person, one tree, greenery all around” and “Let us take responsibility for one tree and become active in protecting the environment.”
Later, various kinds of fruit-bearing, forest, medicinal and ornamental trees were distributed among the participants.
Those present said that, like a child, a tree also needs care and nurturing because its contribution to protecting the environment and human life is immense. They said tree adoption would not only encourage the planting of saplings but also help create a long-term sense of responsibility for their care.
The pledge was administered by BARCIK regional coordinator and environmentalist Md Ahidur Rahman.
Among others who addressed the programme were Green Coalition vice-president Alpona Begum, associate coordinator Shankar Mrong and Anabila Sarkar, who highlighted the significance of World Environment Day.
Organisers said the initiative was taken to foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment and to raise awareness among the younger generation. They added that each of the 20 participants received a tree of their choice through the signing of an agreement and that the Green Coalition would check on the trees every month to ensure regular care.
Journalist Tanvir Hayat Khan said such innovative initiatives could play an important role in raising public awareness about environmental protection and in nurturing love for nature and a sense of responsibility among children and adolescents.
