With the slogan, “Now is the time for nature”, the chairman of Mahilara union parishad (UP) under Barisal's Gournadi upazila has launched a tree plantation campaign in memory of those who have died from the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
Under the “Covid Tree” project, hundreds of local residents, including teachers and students, on Saturday took part in planting palm, date and coconut trees on both sides of the 5km-long road stretching from United Primary School to Billagram.
"We dedicate the trees to the memory of those we have lost to the deadly Covid-19," said Mahilara UP Chairman Saikat Guha Picklu, who earlier received a national award from the prime minister for large-scale tree planting in the area.
“We, along with the rest of the world, are suffering from not only the Covid-19 pandemic but also from the effects of a loss of biodiversity. So, let's not forget about protecting the environment.
“For every person we lose, we are planting at least two trees while praying for the eternal peace of their souls.”
“I hope that once we overcome the current crisis, we can return to a life of normalcy in an environment that is completely free of pollution,” he added.
