Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world due to its geographical location. Natural calamities like cyclones, tidal waves, and floods hit the country every year. Climate change is increasing the incidence of cyclones, tidal waves, and floods. At the same time, sea level rise, heavy rainfall, lack of rain, drought, and river erosion are increasing alarmingly. Besides, the intrusion of saline water is increasing in coastal areas.
In order to tackle these problems, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) has undertaken the "Climate-Friendly Tree Plantation" project. This project was inaugurated on 6th September 2022 by planting a seedling of a sal tree at the Kabi Nazrul Park, Jadavpur, Tangail.
Under this project, 2 crore of trees will be planted by the local people by 2024.
To implement the project BONDHU has adopted many strategies. They are as follows:
Promotion: Leaflet distribution, banner and poster shows, fairs, plays, video exhibitions, cultural events, and the mainstream media and social media promotional activities.
Training: Providing training on site selection and preparation, proper seedling selection, planting seedlings, taking care of seedlings etc.
Advice: Provide regular advice on tree plantations and their maintenance.
Plantation: Land owner will plant the trees.
Inspection: Regular inspection of planted trees as per the agreement.
Financial assistance: BONDHU provides financial assistance to the beneficiary for tree plantation and maintenance (Tk. 40 per tree after plantation, Tk. 10 after 5 years of plantation, and Tk. 10 after 10 years of plantation for each living tree).
The following local varieties have been selected for the climate-friendly tree plantation project:
Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa), Black cutch/Khair (Senegalia catechu), White Siris/Koroi (Albizia procera), Siris Tree (Albizia lebbeck), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Red silk-cotton tree/Shimul (Bombax ceiba), Chebulic myrobalan/Horitoki (Terminalia chebula), Sal tree (Shorea robusta), Earleaf acacia/Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis), Chambul (Albizia richardiana), Golden Shower Tree/Sonalu (Cassia fistula), Arjun tree (Terminalia arjuna), Koroch (Dalbergia reniformis), Burflower-tree/Kodom (Neolamarckia cadamba), Wild Almond/Hijal (Barringtonia acutangula), False white teak/Pituli (Mallotus nudiflorus), Teak/Segun (Tectona grandis), White Teak/Gamar (Gmelina arborea), Garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), Chapalish (Artocarpus chaplasha), Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), Ironwood/Lohakath (Xylia xylocarpa), Civit tree (Swintonia floribunda), Telshur/White thingan (Hopea odorata), Agar wood (Aquilaria malaccensis), Bohera (Terminalia bellirica), Kamranga (Averrhoa carambola), Almond Nut Tree/Kaat badam (Terminalia catappa), Gab (Diospyros peregrina), Indian date/Khejur (Phoenix sylvestris), Cashew nut Tree/Kaju badam (Anacardium occidentale), Wood Apple/Bel (Limonia acidissima), Hog Plum Tree/Amra (Spondias pinnaata), Mango/Aam (Mangifera indica), Black plum/Jam (Syzygium cumini), Jackfruit/Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Lychee/Lichu (Litchi chinensis), Elephant wood apple Tree/Kodbel (Limonia acidissima), Rambai/Lotkon (Baccaurea motleyana), Sapodilla/Sofeda (Manilkara zapota), Elephant Apple/Chalta (Dillenia indica), Olive/Jolpai (Elaeocarpus serratus), Pomelo/Jambura (Citrus maxima), Coconut Tree/Narikel (Cocos nucifera), Tamarind/Tetul (Tamarindus indica), Indian gooseberry/Amloki (Phyllanthus emblica), Monkey Jack Tree/Deuya (Artocarpus lacucha) and Palmyra Palm/Tal (Borassus flabellifer), Sugar apple/Ata (Annona squamosa), Bamboo (Bambusa spp.).
Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) has been working nationwide and it has offices in every district of the country. The working area of BONDHU varies according to the underlying problems of that area and the undertaken projects of the organization.
BONDHU aims to implement this project all over Bangladesh.
Reach out us if you are committed to working for climate action and intend to bring a positive change in the environment of Bangladesh through mitigation and adaptation to climate change and want to fight environmental degradation together.