Environmental organisation, Green Voice, observed Natural Oxygen Protection Day organising a rally at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University on Tuesday.
Students and youths participated in the rally, held at around 4.30pm, demanding an end to indiscriminate tree felling and protection of Sundarban.
Speakers at the rally emphasised the importance of planting trees regularly to protect the environment. They said that tree felling should be prevented before new trees were planted. It was also announced that a tree plantation programme would be held in June.
Citizen Rights Movement general secretary Tushar Rahman said, 鈥楾he capital is full of trees that are not suitable for the environment. Various expensive foreign trees, including bonsai, Chinese togar plants are being planted under various projects.鈥�
The rally was presided over by chief coordinator of Green Voice Alamgir Kabir.
He said, 鈥楾he number of trees needed in Dhaka city for ensuring healthy living of people is decreasing day by day. The recent increase in temperature is taking a toll on the living conditions of people.鈥�
鈥楿ncontrolled felling of trees threatens Bangladesh鈥檚 environment and people鈥檚 right to life. Immediate action is necessary to change the situation,鈥� he added.
After the rally, a procession was brought out from the venue.
The co-coordinator of Green Voice Humayun Kabir Sumon moderated the rally. Besides, the joint Secretary of Bangladesh Environmental Movement and head of the environmental science department at Stamford University Professor Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar, senior journalist and Green Voice adviser Shuvo Kibria, Citizen Rights Movement secretary general Tushar Rahman, Green Voice co-coordinator Munsef Tripti and others were present at the rally.
