Retired teacher plants 1,000 Krishnachura saplings

Retired schoolteacher Alhaj Atikul Haque Samir has taken an initiative to plant more than 1,000 Krishnachura (Royal Poinciana) saplings at educational, religious and social institutions across parts of Tangail and neighbouring areas, using his own earnings. The initiative, which he undertook after retiring from teaching, aims to create greener and more pleasant environments while encouraging students and local residents to develop a greater interest in trees and nature.

Samir, a resident of Barchawna village in Sakhipur upazila, has been visiting schools, colleges, madrasas, hospitals, mosques, Eidgahs, temples, cremation grounds and other important public places to plant Krishnachura saplings himself. He has planted saplings at institutions across all 10 unions and the municipality of Sakhipur, as well as in Parakhi and Nagbari unions of Kalihati, Sagardighi and Dhalapara unions of Ghatail, and two unions of neighbouring Valuka upazila.

Samir retired from Barchawna High School in 2021. A field visit found that he has already planted more than 1,000 Krishnachura saplings and plans to continue the programme in the future. Local residents have praised the initiative, saying it could inspire people, particularly students, to become more involved in tree plantation and environmental protection.

Speaking about his initiative, Samir said he wanted to continue contributing to society even after retiring from his profession.

“If I can do something for the welfare of people and society, I will consider myself a successful person,” he said. “I was a teacher by profession and worked to build people through education. Retirement, however, does not mean a life of inactivity. Even with limited financial resources, I believe it is possible to find peace by doing something beneficial for people, nature and society.”

He said he began planting Krishnachura saplings to make the surroundings of schools and other important institutions greener, cooler and more attractive.

“I will consider myself truly successful when I see the trees I planted with my own hands have grown large, filled with flowers and are providing shade to thousands of students and other people,” he said.

Samir also said his initiative had encouraged students to take an interest in trees and nature. He expressed gratitude to teachers and authorities of the institutions he visited for their support and hospitality and said the tree-planting programme would continue.

Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, headteacher of Mahanandapur Bijoy Smriti High School, described Samir's initiative as a humanitarian effort.

“Planting trees at different educational institutions with his own initiative and money is a commendable humanitarian work. I congratulate and deeply respect him for undertaking such a noble initiative,” he said.

Mohammad Zakir Hossain, headteacher of Montaz Nagar Residential Girls' High School, said Samir's initiative could encourage students to become more interested in nature and tree plantation.

“Students will be inspired by seeing his work and may become more caring towards trees and the environment. His initiative can become a valuable lesson for students in their future lives,” he said.

Afsara Safia Sauda, a ninth-grade student of Barchawna High School, said Samir's initiative had inspired her to become more interested in planting trees.

“It will be wonderful when the tree planted by Samir Sir grows large, provides shade to many people and makes our school environment cooler and more beautiful,” she said.

Nasima Akter, head of the Department of Geography and Environment at Sakhipur Government College, said trees provide shade, flowers, fruits and oxygen and play an essential role in sustaining life.

She said Samir had earned a reputation as a dedicated teacher and was now gaining recognition for his humanitarian work through his tree-planting initiative.

Besides teaching, Samir has long been involved in various social and voluntary activities. He also has an interest in literature. His poetry book "Shyamolima" was published in 2008, and he has established a personal library at his home containing around 1,000 books.

He was also involved in sports and served as a referee in football, volleyball and kabaddi. In 1995, he served as the general secretary of the organising committee of Barchawna Kutubpur Degree College during its establishment.

Samir and his wife performed Hajj in Saudi Arabia in 2025. He has two sons.

Local residents said Samir had been involved in various social welfare activities since his childhood and had continued his efforts to contribute to the community even after retiring from teaching.

-SS/HIS