Tree Plantation of Bangladesh

Tree Plantation of late has become a matter of pressing necessity for Bangladesh. By the side of afforestation in particular places as our ongoing coastal plantations, even distribution of plantings and their benefits throughout the country necessitated the scattered plantation of trees. This will, of course, course, reduce some burden of govt.'s onerous task and there will be considerable reduction of govt. expenditure. In this regard people's conviction and their spontaneous and eager co-operation are the sine sine qua non for success. The drive for public's realization of this necessity and the economic and other advantages for themselves must be made country-wide stronger and more intensive. Tree plantation has been called an 'investment, saving and an insurance". National tree plantation movement along with 'Plantation week' has begun. Tree fair from 2000, is introduced. So is also the national award on tree plantation.

Village and homestead forestry is traditional and the most effective and cheap means for further forest covering to preserve ecological balance and biodiversity. Unlike mangroves situated in particular places, scattered plantings of trees across the country do yeoman's service. They also pave the way for even distribution which is essential for a country and what is most fitting is their somewhat leveling of benefits. They generally comprise such major types as agro-forestry, stripe forestry, and homestead and woodland plantations. The emphasis and discussion in some detail on agro-forestry are inevitable. It is a practice of growing trees in association with agricultural crops, pastures, etc. Such forestry demands assessment of land capability. The site soil must be 2'-3' deep, loamy, well drained and roots for six months and have organic matters such as dead leaves and roots on the soil as an indicator of its fertility. Farmers need to know them and be urged upon, off and on, to adopt and continue agro and stripe forestry. In these type, trees of commercial importance should be preferred. Such trees are mahagoni teak, jam, eucalyptus, mangium, koroi, jarul, shesoo, palm, ashok, mango, jack fruits, black berry and many other fruit trees, They beautify our motherland with green wood. Trees are valuable for maintaining ecological balance, bio-diversity and protecting environment. Grow trees for clean air. They give us oxygen essential for us and absorb carbon dioxide that we breathe out. They supply timber for furniture and construction materials. Their leaves are taken by animals, we use their dry leaves, branches, rots, etc. for fuels. Trees are immovable properties for future generations. They will be another important source of income especially for the rural people. They will reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty. These are general value & usefulness of terrs.

But for some special reasons, fruits bearing trees ought to receive per-eminence in plantation programs. Fruits are impressive providers of calories, cardo-hydrates, minerals, proteins and vitamins needed for human body. Many of the fruit like mango have medicinal elements. And fruits are said to improve the immune system of the body. They are very good for avoidance of excess fat and proteins taken from meals. They are excellent for old people as they contain antioxidants that prevent the aging process. Apart from the precious usefulness the indispensability of producing fruits become clear if we take into account the facts that our malnutrition is highest in South Asia and we and we produce about half of what's necessary for us. They are, moreover, essential supplements of nutrient food for penury-stricken people. Medicinal herbs, creepers, and trees are also required to be planed as people, for ages, of our country and other countries, namely, China, India, are using them as preventive and curative medicines and are getting them at much cheaper prices. People may advised to grow them. They, following the lead given by Prime Minister's office garden. may plant neem, hartaki, boira, amlaki, Arjun and Ashok trees. They may also include, shrubs namely, bashak, noyontara, mehendi, nishinda, sarpagandha, methi, chandan, etc. and creepers of medical values like kalamegh, greetakumari, thankuni, pudina, arshagandha, sarnalata and patharkutchi in their plantings.

Most of the tree including most fruits trees can be grown easily and every where in Bangladesh at a minimum cost. Govt. is to ask all educational and religious institutions (roughly 1,07,400) (27,300 govt. and non-govt. secondary schools, colleges and madrashas and 80,000 govt. primary schools, govt. assisted registered primary schools including Ebtidai madrashas) to plant in a planned way trees medicinal herbs, creepers and trees, and large number fruit bearing trees. These will revolutionize our green Bangladesh's landscape & environment along with innumerable benefits. People need only to be encouraged and motivated, and persuaded to plant trees in and around their homestead, on banks of ponds, ditches, canals, and rivers and on both sides of highways railway tracks and on the boundaries of agricultural plots. Tree Plantation Day or week must be observed with proper seriousness and enthusiasm. The necessity of planting trees must be made a household word. By following this principle as well as least expensive path we can materialize the advice of the UNO and the FAO. They have advised us and every nation in the world to have 25% forest cover and to get them evenly distributed throughout the country.

And we should call back to mind fair pledges of fruitful trees. It is well to recognize their singularity "who has seen the wind none but when the trees bow down their heads", Let our people keep in mind, 'What an unfailing friend and how unswerving in loyalty at all times a tree is." Let them be reminded of their common experience i.e., their shielding of us even against the severity of storms, cyclones and tidal bore. Ibrahim Cowley hails them with the following words: Hail, old, patrician trees so great and good", our people are god-fearing. Let us tell them that trees have prehistoric existence, reverence & sanctity in the universe. The reference to the garden and the tree is there in the Quran and the Bible.