By Ohidur Rahman, from Netrakona

Violence against nature continues. Fires in the forests of Satchhari in Habiganj and Ranggutia Wildlife Sanctuary in Sherpur, the felling of century-old trees at Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute, deforestation in Panthakunja, the cutting of century-old trees at Netrokona Girls’ High School, roads being built through the Amazon rainforest, and the construction of roads through the middle of the Shangai Haor in Sunamganj, all these acts of destruction are threatening the country’s greenery. In protest of this widespread environmental destruction, the youth community of Netrokona, with the support of BARCIK, organized a coordination meeting titled “Save Life, Save Nature” at the Udichi auditorium in Netrokona.

The event was attended by representatives from 43 youth organizations, like-minded groups, Netrokona Sabuj Sanghati, the Education-Culture-Environment and Biodiversity Protection Committee, Save the Animals of Susang, the Agricultural Land Protection Movement, and other concerned individuals and institutions.

The meeting began with a welcome speech by Partha Pratim Sarkar, the president of the Netrokona United Youth Community. He said, “For a long time, our youth community has been working to protect life, nature, the environment, and human rights. However, unless the youth rise against those who are recklessly destroying nature, stopping them will be difficult.”

During the meeting, youth organization members shared their initiatives. Discussions covered various environmental concerns, including the conservation of forests, wetlands, rivers, hills, and haor embankments; the protection of agricultural land; reducing pesticide use; preventing food adulteration; and stopping the sale of topsoil etc.

Alpana Begum, General Secretary of the Education-Culture-Environment and Biodiversity Protection Committee and Netrokona district correspondent for Somoy TV and Bangladesh Pratidin, said, “Environmental destruction is increasing not only across the country but worldwide. Due to human-made environmental damage, our agriculture, soil, water, and air are becoming toxic. We don’t have time left. We must stop the destruction of nature in the name of development. It is our responsibility to take action.”

The coordination meeting concluded with an Iftar gathering organized by the Netrokona United Youth Community for all attendees.