By Anabila Sarker from Netrakona
With the objective to mark International Youth Day, BARCIK and the Green Coalition organized an innovative program titled “Youth Promise Tree: My Words on the Tree.”
Including students 25 youths from Netrakona Government College and members of a local volunteer organization participated in the event which took place beneath a century-old tamarind tree at Netrakona Railway Station.
The initiative aimed to increase awareness of environmental protection, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and local food systems while encouraging youths to take personal and collective responsibility for protecting nature.
One of the program’s most distinctive features was its environmental conscious design. Instead of writing commitments directly on tree leaves, participants decided that removing leaves would contradict the program’s conservation message. They therefore wrote their pledges on paper cards.
Similarly, rather than attaching the cards with nails or glue, participants used jute strings to hang them gently from the tree, ensuring that no harm was caused.
Discussions focused on the importance of ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, ancient trees, agriculture, and locally produced food. Participants emphasized that old trees are much more than sources of shade; they are essential components of ecosystems that support birds, insects, soil, and human communities.
The young participants pledged to protect trees and biodiversity, adopt environmentally responsible behavior, support local agriculture and food systems, raise awareness among others, and contribute to creating a safer environment for future generations.
The event demonstrated that youth can play a vital role in promoting environmental stewardship. By transforming a century-old tamarind tree into a symbol of collective commitment, the initiative provided a powerful and visible expression of young people’s responsibility toward nature and the future.