Tree Plantation is the process of planting saplings in a planned manner. Trees and plants are the prime sources of environmental purification and Beautification. Considering the manifold benefits of trees including that they release oxygen into the air, inhale harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, CFC (Chlorofloro Carbon) etc. and unpleasant odors and filter pollutants from the atmosphere, thereby providing us fresh and clean air to breathe, preventing soil erosion, lessening the effects of global warming, and maintaining the ecological balance; tree plantation is essential to compensate and combat climate change.
IMPACTS OF TREE PLANTATION TO RESIST GLOBAL WARMING
Today the country is facing environmental problems. Global warming, ozone depletion, and pollution are alarming issues. Global warming is the rising average surface temperature of the earth’s climate over the past century, which occurs when the earth’s temperature increases because of the existence of greenhouse gases that prevent heat from escaping from the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb heat energy emitted from the earth’s surface and reradiate it back generated by industry, transportation, and human beings. It has already impacted the ecosystem,
extreme weather events, untimely rainfall, irregular monsoon, heavy rainfall over a short time and very little rainfall in the dry period, changes in the timing of seasonal events, etc. The sea level is rising, and the sea will engulf the world in the recent future. According to international standards, areas under forests should form at least 25 percent of land inhabited by the human population. Trees cleanse the climate by absorbing gases and removing dust particles from the air through leaves. Trees consume carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, reacting with water and producing carbohydrates, oxygen, and energy with sunlight. Thus, there yield cooling in the atmosphere. The solution to these problems lies in planting more trees.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREES FOR PLANTING
The benefits of planting trees are widely known, including environment, social, and economic. Trees act as carbon sinks and using photosynthesis to convert greenhouse gases into glucose and oxygen. The right types of trees must be needed to plant to help combat climate change, and it has to be strategic. Oak, Beech, and Maple are broadleaved species with a larger surface area of leaves and form more photosynthesis, whereas Conifers inhale more heat. Betel nut, Banian tree, Coconut tree are the best to plant near river banks cause they squeeze soil and prevent erosion.
●Trees which consume the most carbon dioxide
Some trees have the highest carbon sequestration is Sagwaan(known as Teak that can absorb 3.70 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air in its lifetime with a width of 10-30 cm), Eucalyptus, Neem, Prosopis Juliflora, etc. Eucalyptus tree absorbs 2.46 lakh tonnes of Carbon dioxide, whereas the Neem tree inhales 1.45 lakh in its lifetime.
●Plants which give 24-hour oxygen
Some plants can produce oxygen at night by taking Carbon Dioxide in the day and then carrying out photosynthesis named CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). They’re Areca palm, Snake plant, Aloe vera, Christmas tree, etc.
Photosynthesis depends on many factors:
•Chloroplasts
•Sun light
•Water and Carbon dioxide
Golden pothos, Areca Palm, Snak plant, Spider plant reducing pollution and increase the humidity level. Some plants give us sweet fragrance and oxygen, i.e., Jasmine, Lavender, Orchid, Lily, etc. Medical plants are Aloe vera, Neem plant. Aloe Vera can lower blood pressure, cure breast cancer, and is essential for the skin. Neem plants can be used for liver disorders, skin problems, and, most importantly, for diabetic patients’ treatment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TREE PLANTATION
Trees are part and parcel of our daily life and important as they fulfill humankind’s essential needs. Trees clean the air by absorbing harmful chemicals and removing dust particles from the air with their leaves and used for manufacturing various goods such as furniture, door, window and stationery items, etc. Trees save the water from impurity by breaking the direct fall of rain to the ground. Trees keep the soil strong and protect us from different natural calamities. The growing amount of air pollution caused by the smoke emitted from vehicles and factories can be controlled. Moreover, trees provide habitat for birds and animals and are also used for the conservation of water. Planting trees is a sunnah of the holy prophet Muhammad(S.A.W), and it’s reward who plant trees continue even after his/her death. Additionally, mature trees can absorb roughly 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
INITIATED TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH
The government of Bangladesh has launched a “Trees4earth” program of planting 10 million saplings for marking the birth centenary of the Father of the nation. Different volunteering organizations coming out together to serve and engaging youth in planting trees. Besides, many have a set of communities and workgroups that work toward the government to make the country green heaven and a better place to live.
CONCLUSION
Tree Plantation has mind-blowing potential to tackle the climate crisis. Planting trees in our neighborhood is one of the greatest things we can do for the local environment and climate. Trees aren’t important; they’re essential for living. Besides producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air, trees have many social, economic, and environmental benefits. Also, they provide us food, shelter, and many other useful things. If we cut down trees randomly, we won’t be able to survive anymore. The county will bear the consequences of the greenhouse effect. So we should plant trees more and more, and tree plantation should be expanded throughout the country for a better and resilient life.
MOHAMMED SAYDUL ISLAM
Chittagong University