Conservation of forest resources
Social forestry officials while addressing a daylong workshop in Rajshahi on Sunday observed that proper conservation of forest and its resources is very important for fighting climate change, ensuring nutritional demands coupled with food security, ecological balance and biodiversity in Rajshahi region including its dried Barind tract, according to a report in this newspaper yesterday.
It is worrying to note that Bangladesh is one of most vulnerable countries in the world in matters of adverse impact of climate change although it has very little contribution to global warming. Being a lower riparian country, Bangladesh is also susceptible to sea level rise. Intrusion of saline water in coastal areas is another peril that looms large. According to global environment experts, the accepted standard is that a country must have at least 25 per cent of its total land area covered with forests to maintain the ecological balance. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has now 13. 2 per cent forest coverage, but the environmentalists said it is an inflated figure as the real forest coverage will not be more than 7-9 per cent.
What is shocking is that the disaster is mainly man-made. A section of unscrupulous people are playing havoc with the greenery of the country. The importance of forest resources of a country is immense for maintaining the balance of nature, environment, ecology and biodiversity. The trees that constitute the 7 per cent forest lands are being cut down indiscriminately. The illegal timber traders and their cohorts are making quick bucks dealing a serious blow to the environment and biodiversity of the country. Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world that Bangladesh can take pride in, has been threatened due to natural and man-made factors.
It is heartening that Bangladesh has made some meaningful efforts to minimize the adverse impact of climate change but much more should be done. The relevant ministry and the department should be proactive for conservation of forest resources. Apart from government initiatives, all stakeholders, including environmentalists, conscious people and NGOs should put in their utmost efforts for conservation of forest resources and augment greenery in the country.
Profitable forestation activities encouraged many people for planting adequate saplings of wood, medicinal and fruit- bearing plants at homesteads, roadsides, office premises, embankments, forest areas, religious institutions premises and other places. It should be the moral obligation of every citizen of the country to protect trees for our very survival in this planet.
