Need for social afforestation underscored
CU Correspondent
A 15-day 'Tree Plantation Movement and Tree Fair - 2007' began here in the port city yesterday as part of National Tree Plantation Movement. Chittagong Forest Department (North), District Administration and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) jointly organised the fair at Laldighi Maidan. Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman inaugurated the programme through planting a tree at Circuit House Premises in the morning. Mokhlesur Rahman was the chief guest in the inaugural ceremony held on the fair premises with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashraf Shamim in the chair. Speakers in the inaugural ceremony emphasised the need for social afforestation to fight the natural disasters, including landslides and develop the country's economy and protect environment. They called upon all to come forward and be aware of protecting the forest and environment. Chittagong Region Forest Conservator M Atiqul Azam, CCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Imtiaz Hossain Chowdhury and Divisional Forest Officer (North) Dr Tapan Kumar Dey also spoke. A procession was brought out on this occasion that paraded different thoroughfares of the city. A total of 49 nurseries and different government and non-government organisations took part in the fair.
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