Social forestry: Money to come from Climate Trust Fund instead of profit from tree sale

Syeda Rizwana Hasan,

Rangpur, February 9: Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that beneficiaries of social forestry will now receive an equal amount of money from the Climate Change Trust Fund instead of profit from tree sale. Trees cannot be cut down for social forestry except for urgent need.

The environmental advisor made these remarks as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with officials of the Department of Forests, Department of Environment and Water Development Board at Circuit House in Rangpur today.

The advisor said that working alone will not be enough to tackle forest destruction, pollution and water crisis. Effective coordination of government agencies is essential to protect the environment.

In addition, measures must be taken to conserve reservoirs, restore forests and control pollution to combat drought, floods and river erosion. Syeda Rizwana Hasan directed the Department of Environment to take urgent measures to prevent stone crushing and illegal brick kilns and the Water Development Board to prevent river erosion. She said that more indigenous trees should be planted along the embankment along with Akashmani and eucalyptus and the local people should be involved in this work.

Officials of the Department of Forests, Department of Environment and Water Development Board highlighted their challenges and activities in the meeting.

Director General of Water Development Board Engineer AKM Tahmidul Islam, Forest Conservator of Bogra Social Forest Circle Muhammad Subedar Islam, Chief Engineer of Water Development Board Md. Mahbubur Rahman and Director of the Department of Environment Rangpur Divisional Office AKM Rafiqul Islam were present in the meeting. – PID Handout