Extensive forestation is a must

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80 per cent of terrestrial animals and plants

Experts at a recent discussion meeting in the northern district of Rangpur have stressed on extensive forestation through tree plantation to improve environment, ecology and biodiversity as well as economy in making the country a safe abode for all. By most accounts, deforestation adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the sum total of cars and trucks on the roads. According to the World Carfree Network (WCN), cars and trucks account for about 14 per cent of global carbon emissions, while most analysts attribute upwards of 15 per cent to deforestation. The reason that logging is so bad for the climate is that when trees are felled they release the carbon they are storing into the atmosphere, where it mingles with greenhouse gases from other sources and contributes to global warming accordingly.

Any realistic plan to reduce global warming pollution sufficiently—and in time—to avoid dangerous consequences must rely in part on preserving existing forests. Improved governance of forest tenure is essential for food security, poverty eradication and to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment in forest-based enterprises. The policymakers in the country need to sort out their priorities and announce a national policy on forestation to fight the threats being posed by climate change, so as to save the country’s future by increasing certain percentage of land under forest cover under a constitutional provision.

Forestation is perhaps the best way to mitigate the impacts of the global warming. Water is the element essential for life and that deforestation deprives us of this basic necessity with each passing day. One of the ways to fight the menace of environmental destruction is to carry out forestation at a massive scale and protect the existing trees. But instead of protecting trees, the country seems to be on a tree-cutting spree. Forests play a key role in our battle in adapting to and mitigating climate change while also contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80 per cent of terrestrial animals and plants. Forests also provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities.

Although forestry is now one of the top priorities of many countries around the world, it has been neglected for too long in the past. Even the long spell of droughts and the unusual floods in various parts of the country over the past few decades have not awakened policymakers from their slumber. Instead, they have continued to pursue policies that can be disastrous for our environment, the health of the economy and the nation as a whole in the long run.

The authorities should be doing a lot more to prevent deforestation.

Extensive forestation is a must

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80 per cent of terrestrial animals and plants

Experts at a recent discussion meeting in the northern district of Rangpur have stressed on extensive forestation through tree plantation to improve environment, ecology and biodiversity as well as economy in making the country a safe abode for all. By most accounts, deforestation adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the sum total of cars and trucks on the roads. According to the World Carfree Network (WCN), cars and trucks account for about 14 per cent of global carbon emissions, while most analysts attribute upwards of 15 per cent to deforestation. The reason that logging is so bad for the climate is that when trees are felled they release the carbon they are storing into the atmosphere, where it mingles with greenhouse gases from other sources and contributes to global warming accordingly. Any realistic plan to reduce global warming pollution sufficientlyand in timeto avoid dangerous consequences must rely in part on preserving existing forests. Improved governance of forest tenure is essential for food security, poverty eradication and to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment in forest-based enterprises. The policymakers in the country need to sort out their priorities and announce a national policy on forestation to fight the threats being posed by climate change, so as to save the countrys future by increasing certain percentage of land under forest cover under a constitutional provision. Forestation is perhaps the best way to mitigate the impacts of the global warming. Water is the element essential for life and that deforestation deprives us of this basic necessity with each passing day. One of the ways to fight the menace of environmental destruction is to carry out forestation at a massive scale and protect the existing trees. But instead of protecting trees, the country seems to be on a tree-cutting spree. Forests play a key role in our battle in adapting to and mitigating climate change while also contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80 per cent of terrestrial animals and plants. Forests also provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities. Although forestry is now one of the top priorities of many countries around the world, it has been neglected for too long in the past. Even the long spell of droughts and the unusual floods in various parts of the country over the past few decades have not awakened policymakers from their slumber. Instead, they have continued to pursue policies that can be disastrous for our environment, the health of the economy and the nation as a whole in the long run. The authorities should be doing a lot more to prevent deforestation.