By Shyamael Hasda from Ghior, Manikganj

On the occasion of World Earth Day, a discussion session and a human chain were organized in Kunduria village of Nali Union under Ghior Upazila, Manikganj, through a joint initiative of BARCIK and the Kunduria Farmers’ Unity Council.

With the slogan “Our Collective Strength Will Build a Greener Planet,” participants raised various demands through banners and posters. These included avoiding the use of chemicals, promoting organic agriculture, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, increasing the use of renewable energy, and preventing environmental pollution.

Among the participants were Subal Mondal, President of the Kunduria Farmers’ Unity Council; Sushil Biswas, General Secretary; Bimal Roy, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK; Subir Kumar Sarkar, Associate Program Officer; Shyamael Hasda; and local farmers and people from various professions.

In the discussion, farmer leader Subal Mondal said, “We cultivate using organic methods without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. But now, unlike before, monsoon water doesn’t reach our fields on time, and due to the water shortage, we are unable to farm properly.”

General Secretary Sushil Biswas added, “We grow paddy and khesari pulses without chemical inputs. The straw is fed to cattle, cow dung is used to produce vermicompost, and the biogas is used for cooking. We waste nothing, everything is used in an eco-friendly manner.”

Local housewife Durga Rani said, “I don’t understand much, but I know if we eat good food, we stay healthy. So we want to live well.”

Bimal Roy said, “The harmful impacts of climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution, and loss of biodiversity are putting our future at serious risk. Earth is our only home. It is our shared responsibility to preserve its balance, and we must act now with unity.”

The organizers emphasized that Earth Day should not be limited to symbolic events. Rather, every day of the year should be a day of awareness. Planting trees, reducing plastic use, using reusable materials, conserving rivers and nature, and protecting biodiversity, all of these require united efforts from individuals, society, and the state to truly safeguard our planet.