Speakers at a discussion meeting in Khulna on Saturday stressed the need for building awareness among the people to protect Sunderban, the largest mangrove forest in the world.
They urged the government to declare 14th February as the Sunderban Day and observe the day to create awareness for protecting Sunderban.
Sunderban Day is being observed on February 14 like previous year with a slogan “Love Sunderban on the World Valentine Day” at every coastal districts including Khulna.In Dhaka Save Sunderbans National Committee organised a human chain in front of the National Press Club calling for awareness and care to protect the plant resources, flora and fauna of the forest and remove power plants, industrial units and godowns from inside it.
Sunderban Academy and Forest Department jointly organized various programmes to mark the day with the assistance of NGO Rupantor, CREL, Concern Worldwide, Relief International, Wild Team and Khulna Press Club.
The two day-long programmes include discussion meeting, cultural function and art competition among the school students with the theme “Sunderban in our mind,” and prize distribution.
Ambassador and chief of European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Peari Mayadon addressed the discussion meeting as chief guest held on City’s Shilpakala Academy premises.
Chaired by executive director of Sunderban Academy Anwarul Kadir, the meeting was addressed by Mizanur Rahman Mizan MP, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Abdus Samad, Conservator of Forest of Khulna Circle Kartik Chandra Sarker, Convener of Sunderban Supporter Committee Liakat Ali and others.
Divisional Forest Officer of West Zone Zahir Uddin Ahmed delivered the welcome speech while climate specialist Dr. Atik Rahman addressed as honorable guest.
The chief guest urged the government to take appropriate steps to preserve diversity of Sunderban.
Everybody should help to protect Sunderban side by side with government, the chief guest said adding “Sunderban along with its diversity is keeping us safe.”
A total of 500 students of 25 schools attended the function and participated in the art competition.
The chief guest distributed crest and books among the winners. – News Desk
