RANGPUR: Massive tree plantation has become a need for the time to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change and for the ecology and biodiversity in order to build a safer planet, reports BSS. The opinion came at a concluding ceremony of a fortnight-long ‘Divisional Wood, Fruit and Medicinal Tree Fair -2016’ organised by the district administration, Social Forestry Division and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) here on Thursday.
Officials and experts of the administration, DAE, Department of Forest (DoF), agriculture-related organisations, NGOs, nursery owners, students and farmers attended the ceremony held on Zila School ground in the city. The concluding ceremony of the fair was arranged in advance on Thursday ahead of its schedule considering the 9-day public holidays commencing from July 1. “However, the fair that began on June 19 last, will continue till July 4 next as per schedule,” Additional Deputy Director (Plant Protection) of the DAE Aftab Hossain told BSS. Fifty stalls have been set up in the fair by private sector nursery owners and entrepreneurs displaying saplings of many varieties of fruit, timber and medicinal plants. Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) attended the concluding ceremony and distributed prizes as the chief guest. With Divisional Forest Officer Shafikul Islam in the chair, Deputy Commissioner Rahat Anwar, Deputy Director of the DAE SM Ashraf Ali, Assistant Forest Conservator Dr Prantosh Chandra and President of City Nursery Owners’ Association Saiful Islam addressed as special guests.