Rangpur: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced today that beneficiaries of social forestry will now receive financial support from the Bangladesh Climate Trust Fund (BCCTF) instead of relying on profits from tree sales. She emphasized the protection of social forestry trees, suggesting that tree cutting should only occur in urgent situations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana made these statements during a discussion at the Rangpur Circuit House. The meeting included officials from the Forest Department, the Department of Environment (DoE), and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). Rizwana highlighted the importance of planting native trees over species like Acacia and Eucalyptus.
Rizwana also addressed the necessity for government agencies to coordinate effectively to protect the environment. She underscored that combating deforestation, pollution, and water crises requires collective efforts. Furthermore, she stressed the preservation of natural reservoirs, forest restoration, and the implementation of pollution control measures to mitigate droughts, floods, and river erosion.
In her directives, Rizwana instructed the DoE to take action against illegal brick kilns and prevent unauthorized stone extraction. She also called upon the BWDB to take immediate measures to prevent river erosion. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of planting more native trees along embankments and engaging local communities in these environmental initiatives.
During the meeting, officials from the Forest Department, DoE, and BWDB presented their activities and the challenges they face. They identified deforestation, industrial and agricultural pollution, and water flow management as significant challenges in the Rangpur region.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including BWDB Director General Engineer A.K.M. Tahmidul Islam, Conservator of Forests of the Bogura Social Forestry Circle Muhammad Subedar Islam, Chief Engineer of the BWDB Md. Mahbubur Rahman, and Director of the Department of Environment, Rangpur Division A.K.M. Rafiqul Islam, among others.