BATB launches afforestation programme
British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) launched its Afforestation Programme 2009 at Agargaon in the city yesterday as part of its corporate social responsibility.
BATB's afforestation drive is the largest by any private sector entity in the country.
Chairman of the company Golam Mainuddin said this year BATB will distribute a total of 3.5 million saplings free of cost around the country. Of them, one lakh saplings will be distributed in Dhaka city.
The saplings include varieties of local fruit-bearing plants, coniferous plants, medicinal plants and some high-yielding exotic species.
The city dwellers can collect the saplings from Krishibid Udyan Nursery near the Department of Environment at Agargaon.
The BATB chairman said, “When we first started the initiative in the 80s, people did not show much interest. We distributed saplings to tobacco farmers at first and gave them money to nurture the plants. It became popular after a long motivation campaign.”
Since its initiation, a total of 60 million saplings were contributed by BATB in various districts. The trees have been planted along the roadside, railway tracks, embankments and farmlands. Special emphasis has been given on the CHT areas.
BATB received five national awards for its special contribution to afforestation across the country.
Environment and Forest Secretary Dr Mihir Kanti Mazumder said, “All sorts of development and commercial activities have a social cost. The companies have a liability to give something back to society. BATB is doing it by planting trees.”
After the government-managed afforestation programme, BATB has become the second largest tree planters in the country, he added.
BATB Managing Director Alan Davy said saving the trees is very important for Bangladesh. Its necessity was demonstrated quite well during the cyclone Sidr by the Sundarbans.
“The fight against climate change is a shared responsibility. We all have to do our part for the next generation”, he added.
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