‘Country to be self-reliant to tackle climate change impacts’

KHULNA, Aug 14: Bangladesh will become self-reliant in tackling the impacts of global warming and climate change, said Khulna Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Advocate SM Shafiqul Alam Mona.
“Trees provide us with oxygen and shade and make our planet habitable. We are facing natural disasters frequently due to global warming and climate change. Khulna is an environmentally vulnerable region, and there is no alternative to tree plantation to keep the region green and liveable,” he said.
The KDA chairman made the remarks while inaugurating a tree plantation programme at Khulna Collegiate School in Sonadanga on Thursday afternoon.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched a campaign to plant 25 crore trees across the country within five years.
“Under his leadership, Bangladesh will not only achieve economic prosperity, build a self-reliant nation and emerge as a dignified country in the world, but will also become self-reliant in tackling the impacts of global warming and climate change,” Mona said.
He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to increase tree cover, particularly in environmentally vulnerable areas such as Khulna, where climate change is intensifying the risks of cyclones, flooding, salinity and other natural disasters.
Mona said the KDA was working not only to build a planned city but also to make Khulna greener and more sustainable.
He urged students and residents to participate in tree plantation and take responsibility for protecting the trees after planting them.
Former BMA Khulna president and DAB district president Dr Md Rafiqul Haque Bablu, KDA Chief Engineer (current charge) Kazi Sabirul Alam, Authorised Officer GM Masudur Rahman, social worker Ahsan Ul Kabir Shaheen and other local leaders and activists attended the programme.
Khulna Collegiate School Head Teacher Sheikh Rezaul was also present.