Afforestation on unused land

Farmers in many villages of the district have started planting trees on their unused lands as it would earn money by selling the trees and protect the environment at the same time.  

A multi-nation company distributed 75,000 saplings of different wood and fruit trees in June-July this year. The company's officials are encouraging farmers to plant trees on their unused lands and advising them on how to prepare their lands for afforestation.

Nazrul Islam, 44, a farmer of Bhelabari village under Aditmari upazila, said he planted 400 saplings on his three bighas of abandoned land in the village in July this year. "A multi-national company distributed the saplings free of cost, and the company's officials also told me how to plant them," he added.

Nazrul said he hoped to earn Tk 20 lakh to Tk25 lakh from selling trees in eight to 10 years.

Treasurer of Sree Sree Baloram Mandir in Bolairpat village under Kaliganj upazila Noresh Chandra Roy, 45, said they planted 150 saplings on temple land in July that are growing properly.

Naresh said the land had been unused for years and they had no idea about afforestation. Officials of a multi-nation company visited the temple and suggested that they plant trees on the land, he said, adding that they got the saplings free of cost.

The company's district officer agriculturist Ahsan Habib said they distribute tree saplings free of cost among the farmers with the intention of protecting the environment. Ahsan said they requested farmers to use their abandoned lands for afforestation as it would protect the environment as well as bring good profit after a few years. He said now more farmers are becoming interested in using their abandoned lands for afforestation.

District Forest Officer Manowar Ali Mandol said deforestation damaged the environment and the soil. Afforestation is essential now so farmers are planting saplings on unused lands, he said, adding that a multi-national company is playing an important role in this regard.