A Correspondent:
Rajshahi: Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu yesterday called for continued efforts to pre-serve Rajshahi’s reputation as a green and clean city by maintaining ecological balance through regular tree plantation.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a program to plant 30,000 trees and distributed sap-lings at the headquarters of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP).
The program was jointly organized by RMP, Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) and Rajshahi journalists, with cooperation from the Real Estate and Developers Association (REDA).
As the chief guest, the minister said concerted efforts had been made over the past two to three decades to make Rajshahi greener, with people from all sections of the district and metropolitan city playing a major role in the achievement.
“This glory must be maintained,” he said.
Recalling his tenure as mayor, Minu said Rajshahi metropolis had secured first place 14 times across the country during the last 17 years.
“As a result, Rajshahi is now known nationally and internationally as a ‘Green City, Clean City and Healthy City’ and has also established a strong position in maintaining law and order,” he said.
The minister said trees are essential for sustaining life on earth as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
“If there were no trees on earth, no life would exist,” he said, stressing that regular tree planta-tion should be considered a sacred duty of everyone to protect the environment.
He acknowledged the contributions of people involved in the housing sector, RMP and RDA to the greening of Rajshahi and expressed his gratitude to them.
REDA President Toufiqur Rahman Lovlu presided over the program.
Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, MP, RMP Commissioner Mohammad Faizul Kabir, RDA Chairman Abul Kalam Azad Sweet and Zila Parishad Administrator Advocate Mohammad Ershad Ali Isha attended the program as special guests.
Local political leaders, government and private officials, distinguished personalities and media representatives were also present.
