The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force (Ansar-VDP) conducted tree plantation and sapling distribution drives in Cumilla, Bagerhat, Netrokona, Khagrachhari and Rangamati on Tuesday to promote environmental protection and expand green coverage.
The campaign was organised under the slogan “Let us decorate the country with tree plantation, Bangladesh first.”
In Cumilla, the programme was held at the Chauddagram Upazila office under the leadership of District Commandant and Deputy Director Md Ashraful Haque. Chauddagram Upazila Ansar and VDP Officer Sharif Mahmud and a large number of Ansar-VDP members participated in the programme.
In Rangamati, fruit, forest and medicinal saplings were planted and distributed among members in the presence of District Commandant and Deputy Director Md Saddam Hossain and Circle Adjutant Md Tanzir Azad.
The plantation campaign was also conducted in remote areas of Cumilla, Bagerhat, Netrokona, Khagrachhari and Rangamati, with Ansar-VDP members taking part in local-level activities.
In Khagrachhari, 540 saplings of fruit, forest and medicinal varieties and 100 palm seeds were planted across nine upazilas. In Bagerhat, 500 saplings were planted in nine upazilas. Together, the two districts planted 1,040 saplings and 100 palm seeds.
Khagrachhari District Commandant and Deputy Director Md Ibrahim Khalil attended the programme as chief guest, while Bagerhat District Commandant and Deputy Director Md Shariful Islam was the chief guest at the Bagerhat programme.
In Netrokona, tree plantation activities were held in nine of the district’s 10 upazilas. District Commandant and Deputy Director Mohammad Jinnatul Islam inaugurated the programme.
A total of 500 saplings were planted in Netrokona Sadar, Mohanganj, Atpara, Kalmakanda, Madan, Kendua, Barhatta, Purbadhala and Durgapur. The saplings included 170 forest, 140 fruit and 190 medicinal varieties.
Ansar-VDP officials and members from different levels participated in the programmes. Organisers said the participation of Ansar-VDP members in local tree plantation activities would help increase public engagement in environmental protection.
The force said such initiatives would continue in different parts of the country as part of efforts to support the national tree plantation programme and raise awareness about protecting nature amid climate change.
