The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A three-day tree fair and daylong tree plantation began on the premises of Dhaka Club at Shahbagh in the city on Thursday morning.

Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain Selim inaugurated the occasion at 11 am. Former Dhaka Club presidents ex-ambassador Shamsur Rahman, MG Mortaza, MA Sattar, AK Firoz Ahmed and club members and their families were present in the function.

A discussion meeting was organised in the auditorium of the club in connection with the event. The speakers at the meeting urged the club leaders and members to continue their efforts to develop the adjacent Ramna Park as a modern, sprawling and beautiful park.

Terming the trees in Ramna Park as 'lungs of the city', they stressed the need for arranging a function centering the century- old park to make the new generation familiar with indigenous threes like pial, tamal, hizol, and keora. Former minister and noted academic Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, former Privatisation Commission Chairman and 'Amra Dhakabasi' Chief Adviser Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, tree expert Dwijen Sharma and environment researcher Mokarram Hossain addressed the function.

The Dhaka Club president delivered the address of welcome while Ali Imam moderated the discussion.

Comparing trees with hemoglobin in human blood, Sadat Hossain Selim said the country's trees must be preserved.

Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley said the trees must be protected to maintain environmental balance. He thanked the Dhaka Club authorities for their efforts to preserve trees.

Enam Ahmed Chowdhury called upon all to come forward to make Dhaka a green city. Later, a painting competition was held with participation of school-going children of Dhaka Club members.