Stop deforestation in the name of dev, says Green Voice 

Demanding an immediate end to rampant deforestation in the name of development, environmentalist youth organization 'Green Voice' organized a student-youth rally in the capital on Thursday.

The rally was held in front of the Jatiya Press Club to mark the "Natural Oxygen Protection Day-2026", advocating for the preservation of nature and urban green spaces.

Around 100 students from over 20 prominent educational institutions across Dhaka, including Dhaka University, Dhaka College, Titumir College, and Eden Mohila College, participated in the program, which concluded with an awareness march.

Speaking at the event, Green Voice Adviser Architect Iqbal Habib severely criticized the ongoing destruction of trees in areas like Farmgate's Anowara Park, Osmani Udyan, and Gazipur's reserved forests. 

"Trees do not merely provide oxygen, they protect our entire biodiversity. A special task force must be formed immediately to halt this destruction. This task force will not only initiate planned tree plantations but also engage the youth in safeguarding our environment," he said.

Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ruhin Hossain Prince, attended as the chief guest. He questioned the lack of government initiatives to officially observe the day. "Successive governments have patronized environmental grabbers under the guise of development.