Let's plant trees

Bangladesh is fast acquiring desert conditions due to destruction of our trees. When we travel on the highways of Chittagong-Cox's Bazar the heaps of logs piled near timber depots remind us of how fast we are destroying the work of nature by cutting down trees. No one bothers to plant trees in replacement.

Trees play a vital role in controlling the climate. The disastrous effects of felling trees indiscriminately are well known. Trees, whether they are grown for timber in forests or shade and ornamental trees in highways and gardens, are our national asset.

Imagine a forest without trees. What would happen to the flora and fauna that live under the cover of the trees? We must remember that more than half of the population of the plants in Bangladesh will disappear forever from the face of the earth once their host trees are destroyed. In addition, we must also take every action to preserve the existing trees.

Bangladesh has undergone a drastic climatic change during the last few years. We have cleared the forests. Due to the indiscriminate felling of trees periodic drought conditions are becoming more and more severe.

The elderly people of Bangladesh knew the value of trees and planted them by roadways and in forest reserves. This added to the natural beauty and the coolness of the environment. In those days it was considered a great sin to cut down any living tree and those who did so were severely criticized.

When trees are cut down, springs dry up, the soil is eroded and the air becomes less humid. Thus the entire balance of nature is upset. When we destroy forests, droughts, unfavourable climatic changes, soil erosion, lack of water resources and even disastrous floods are the results.

The younger generation must be made to realise the value and usefulness of trees. Drawing schoolchildren and teachers into the awareness programme is important, as schools are the most suitable institutions that could bring a change in the nation's attitude in conserving trees.