SATKHIRA, Dec 4: A human chain was organized in Shyamnagar Upazila of the district on Tuesday to demand a reduction in the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals in agriculture.
The event was held in front of the Shyamnagar Press Club to mark World Pesticide Free Day.
The programme was jointly organized by Sundarban Student Solidarity Team, Green Coalition, Youth Voluntary Coordinating Committee, and Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).
Speakers at the event expressed concern over the increasing use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, emphasising that it poses a significant threat to biodiversity and public health.
They called for the promotion of organic pesticides as an alternative to ensure the production of safe food. They also urged the government to raise public awareness about biodiversity protection, environmental preservation, and health safety.
The programme was presided over by Kumud Ranjan Gayen, convener of Green Solidarity. Other speakers included Saidul Islam, member secretary of Sundarban Student Solidarity Team; Shamim Hossain, member of Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee; Kohinoor Bibi, president of Sonamugari Farmers-Fishermen Welfare Association; Habibur Rahman, president of the Farmers-Researchers Team; Piyush Baulia Pintu, joint convener of Sabuj Saghati; Journalist Sheikh Afzalur Rahman; Ramkrishna Jowardar, regional coordinator of BARCIK; and youth organizer SM Osman Gani Sohag.
World Pesticide Free Day is observed annually on December 3 to commemorate the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India, where a pesticide factory accident led to the deaths of thousands and injuries to hundreds of thousands. The day serves as a reminder of the dangers of pesticide misuse and the importance of protecting human health and the environment from harmful chemicals.
