DHAKA, Sept 18, 2024 (BSS) - Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the importance of tree plantation should be realised from the core of one's heart.

"To live a healthy and beautiful life, more trees must be planted. Trees absorb excess heat, purify the air, and cool the environment," he said while addressing the closing ceremony of the National Tree Fair 2024 at the Forest Department Auditorium here.

Speaking as the chief guest, Rizwana urged all to plant trees and take care of those, stating that "if we work together, we can restore the forest and environment."

Addressing the officials of the Forest Department, she emphasised the need for afforestation, not commercial timber business. 

She highlighted the importance of modernising forest management and prioritising sustainable forestry and livelihood development over one-time benefits from social forestry. 

Rizwana also stressed raising public awareness and engaging the youth in the conservation of forests, the environment, and biodiversity.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Additional Secretary (Administration), Chief Conservator of Forests and Deputy Chief Conservator also spoke at the event, among others. 

At the event, the adviser distributed prizes among the winners of the tree identification, essay, and drawing competitions held during the fair, as well as among the stall owners.

This year's National Tree Fair featured 120 stalls, where 3,185,993 saplings were sold, amounting to a total value of Taka 16,28,52,010.

 Ornamental saplings were the top sellers, followed by timber, fruit-bearing, medicinal, and endangered species saplings.

Earlier in the day, Rizwana visited the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC). 

Speaking at a discussion there, she called upon the officials to play a responsible role in conserving forest resources.