Safeguard the aspiration of "Tree Samad"

Congratulations and a big thank you to The Daily Star for 26 fantastic years of service to the country. I also express gratitude for honouring "Tree Samad" from Faridpur for his contribution to our country by planting trees everyday of his life. However, this initiative is not going to last if our government agencies continue to neglect the need for preservation of nature.

Last October, I managed to save 3 out of 7 trees near my boundary wall when the lake development authorities started on their "beautification" of the North Gulshan 2 lake behind road 50. I had written a letter in October requesting the mayor to prevent the slaughtering of trees in the area. Nothing came of it. More trees are slowly being cut down in the area this month.

These trees bordering the lake are not obstructing roads or highways. Surely, the beautification of the lake can take place without harming them. Replanting trees by killing existing matured ones is not a reasonable initiative. The planning authorities should mark the existing trees and then work around them where possible. This may not be possible on the roads, but is certainly possible by the lakeside.

I implore The Daily Star and the people of our community to convince RAJUK to save the trees, given that the lake development program is under RAJUK's jurisdiction. Initiatives such as that of "Tree Samad" deserve more than being rewarded just once for their contribution, only to have those works trampled on through acts of neglect. We need to help preserve their contributions if we want to truly honour them.

A concerned citizen