Abu sayem, Cox`s bazar: Keeping in mind the theme "Planned Afforestation, Build a Green Bangladesh", a week-long tree plantation drive and Tree Fair-2025 have been inaugurated by the joint initiative of the Cox`s Bazar District Administration and the Forest Department.
Cox`s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salah Uddin inaugurated the fair by releasing balloons and cutting the ribbon at the city`s public Shaheed Daulat Maidan at 11 am on Monday (July 21).
Earlier, at around 10:30 am, a rally with musical instruments started from in front of the Forest Department office and circled the main road of the city before ending at the venue.
After the rally, a discussion meeting was held at Shaheed Daulat Maidan in Cox`s Bazar.
Cox`s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin spoke as the chief guest at the discussion meeting. At the time, he said, "Everyone should come forward in tree plantation. Everyone, including students, should play a role through tree plantation."
We need to be more aware of forest and environment conservation and plant and take care of trees. Only trees will act as a protective shield in natural disasters. Therefore, trees are needed to save human life.The role of tree planting in protecting the environment and combating the harmful effects of climate change is undeniable.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer of Cox`s Bazar North Forest Division Md. Maruf Hossain, and President of Cox`s Bazar Press Club Mahbubur Rahman spoke as special guests.The welcome speech at the discussion meeting was delivered by Monirul Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Cox`s Bazar South Forest Division.
In the chairman`s speech, Md. Nurul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer, Cox`s Bazar South Forest Division, said, "The role of tree plantation in building a beautiful livable city and protecting the environment is immense."We must contribute to the balance of the environment through tree planting. We all need to plant trees and stop cutting down trees without any reason. We need to play an important role in preserving forests and the environment by planting more saplings.Because, in addition to protecting the environment, trees, forests and fruit trees play an unparalleled role in producing nutritious food. People should be motivated through publicity about the tree fair.He also said, "As part of this year`s tree planting campaign, each of you will plant one fruit tree, one forest tree, one medicinal tree and other types of trees in your own yard or on the roof of your house. Then our tree fair will be successful and worthwhile."
He expressed his immense gratitude and thanks to everyone who attended the event and made it a success. It is worth noting that 35 stalls participated in this year`s tree plantation drive and tree fair. The tree fair will feature more than lakhs of saplings of fruit, forest, medicinal and ornamental varieties.

Various types of seedlings are being sold at low prices at the fair, and seedlings of various types of forest, fruit, medicinal and other plants will be available from 9 am to 9 pm every day. A tree plantation drive and the closing ceremony of the tree fair are likely to be held on July 27.