Mohammad Riaz, BAU:Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has launched a plantation drive of environmentally friendly neem and palmyra trees to combat climate change and protect the environment. As part of the initiative, the university administration plans to plant 20 thousands trees across the campus over the next five years.

The tree plantation programme was held at the Dairy Farm and Begum Khaleda Zia Hall on Thursday morning, organised by the BAU Tree Plantation Committee under the theme 'Let’s decorate the country with trees, Bangladesh first.' A total of 100 palmyra seeds and 100 neem saplings were planted during the programme.

The programme was chaired by Prof Dr GM Mujibur Rahman, president of the Tree Plantation Committee and Student Affairs Adviser of BAU. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Sarder attended the event as the chief guest, while BAURES Director Prof Dr Md Abul Hashem was present as a special guest.

Proctor Prof Dr Md Abdul Alim, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Prof Dr Md Rakibul Islam Khan, Begum Khaleda Zia Hall Provost Prof Dr Md Ismail Hossain, teachers from different faculties and students were also present.

Addressing the programme, BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Islam Sardar said different faculties of the university had already planted trees as part of the government’s initiative. I call upon other faculties and institutions to join this initiative. Planting trees does not cause us any harm, rather we benefit from them in every way. We must plant trees if we want to survive.

He said the university campus lacks sufficient quality fruit-bearing trees and good varieties of trees. We have to gradually plant more trees to make the campus rich in fruit-bearing trees. Old and damaged trees should be removed and replaced with new ones. Trees will be planted gradually in different faculties, residential halls and vacant spaces across the university. We must preserve the greenery of our green campus.