A tree plantation drive at Bangla Academy in Dhaka has called for greater public involvement in environmental protection, warning that planting saplings alone is not enough without proper care and preservation of existing trees.
Organised by the Humanitarian Alliance for Green Earth (HAGE) Foundation under the theme “One Tree, One Dream: A Greener Earth for Future Generations”, the programme brought together environmental advocates and civil society representatives, with Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azam joining them to plant the first saplings.
HAGE Foundation President Rajuan Ahmed, an internationally recognised fiction writer, led the organisation’s delegation, the organisers said in a press release.
The delegation included General Secretary Mohammad Anisul Islam, Treasurer Md Sohel Rana, Joint Secretary Mohammad Rashedul Islam Ripon and Executive Members Rasel Miah and Abu Bakar Siddik.
Foundation members Mursaleen Numani, Mahbuba Sultana, Salma Hasan, Md Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Talukder and Rashed Ansari also participated.
Organisers said planting a tree represented a commitment to environmental protection and future generations rather than merely putting a sapling into the ground.
They highlighted the role of trees in producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, preventing soil erosion and providing habitats for wildlife.
Trees also help cool urban neighbourhoods, reduce airborne dust and improve living conditions, while native species in rural areas help connect homes and farmland with their surrounding environment.
The foundation said environmental protection had become a shared responsibility as expanding cities, population growth, pressure on forests and increasingly visible effects of climate change posed growing challenges.
Individuals, communities and businesses must contribute alongside environmental organisations and researchers, with organised plantation programmes offering practical opportunities for participation.
However, the organisers cautioned against measuring the success of such initiatives solely by the number of saplings planted.
They stressed that species selection, suitable planting locations, adequate space for roots and branches, regular watering and long-term maintenance were essential to ensuring survival.
Native species suited to local soil and climatic conditions should receive priority, they said.
The foundation also urged people to plant trees in residential compounds, educational institutions, workplaces and public spaces, while considering their eventual size and the surrounding environment.
Where tree felling cannot be avoided, organisers called for prior environmental impact assessments and compensatory planting.
Azam’s participation and the involvement of writers, officials and volunteers highlighted the scope for cooperation between institutions and communities in addressing environmental challenges.
Ahmed said protecting the planet was the responsibility of the present generation and could not be achieved by individuals or government agencies working alone.
He emphasised collective action, sustained public awareness and respect for nature as essential to maintaining environmental balance.
The organisers said individual planting efforts, although limited in isolation, could collectively expand green cover, create habitats and reduce pressure on the environment.
They expressed hope that planting and caring for trees would become part of everyday life, helping secure a greener future for generations to come.
