Public-private partnership a must for afforestation

A month-long tree fair ended in the city yesterday with a call for countrywide afforestation.
A total of 17 lakh saplings of 582 species were sold for Tk six crore at the fair that began at the National Parade Ground on May 24.
Special Assistant to the Ministry of Environment and Forest Raja Debashish Roy was present at the concluding ceremony of the fair at the Osmani Memorial auditorium as the chief guest.
He also distributed the prizes among the winners of an art competition and an essay-writing contest organised to commemorate the fair.
Underscoring the need for afforestation in the country especially in the coastal areas, Raja Debashish Roy said, “Public-private partnership is important for afforestation and co-management can play a significant role to the success of the afforestation programme.”
“Change of view and management of the forest department is essential now otherwise the future of both the country and the forest department is bleak,” said Raja Debashish.
The government has already started talking to the stakeholders to reform the Forest Transit Rules, said Raja Debashish and the reformation will help increase afforestation in private lands, he added.
He also emphasised on afforestation in the urban areas.
Environment and Forest Secretary AHM Rezaul Kabir presided over the programme while Chief Forest Conservator AKM Shamsuddin delivered the welcome speech.
Deputy Chief Forest Conservator Mohammad Abdul Motaleb rounded off the session with vote of thanks.