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Protect our forests from destruction |
![]() Protect our forests from destruction It is well known that forests play a key role in our battle in adapting to and mitigating climate change while also contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air. Forests were the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80 per cent of terrestrial animals and plants. Although forestry is now one of the top priorities of many countries around the world, it has been neglected in Bangladesh for too long in the past. Rather ironically during colonial rule, a proper mechanism was set up to save the forests. After independence this sector has been left hanging so to speak. The authorities need to be more careful regarding our forests because we have no other survival option than to protect and conserve the forests. Particularly, it is crucially important to recover the forest area which has been destroyed for giving refuge to Rohingyas in the southern part of Bangladesh. The degree of ecological damage has been horrendous. Media reports estimated the loss of Tk 456.08 crore for disappearance of trees of 6,163.5 acres of hilly land for building 30 makeshift camps and Tk 1,400 crore in ecological damages. The government will have to run the extra mile to reclaim the forest coverage in this area. There have been several forestation programmes which, if implemented properly, would not just help increase forest coverage but it also provide livelihood for many. Such initiatives can be helpful not just to mitigate harmful effects of climate change but also can help in coping with the energy crisis. Forests must be preserved and forestation programmes must be taken up vigorously. No amount of economic prosperity will save us from ecological loss resulting from deforestation. And any efforts to remediate ecological loss will cost much more than any economic gain. |