Bangladesh Roadside Tree Plantation

Reforestation progress in four districts where PEP works.

A total of 8.5 kilometers of roadsides were planted in 2018. 6.5 kilometers were planted in Barhatta union of Netrokona and 2 kilometers in Sherpur of Bogra. A list of roads planted in Barhatta with distances are:

Road 1: Rambhadrapur pacca road to Boroitola Bazar (1 kilometer, 1 watcher, 1,377 trees planted)

Raod 2: Rambhadrapur mor to Harulia Bridge (2.5 kilometer, 2 watchers, 1,894 trees planted)

Road 3: Harulia Bridge to Baghmara Bridge (3 kilometer, 3 watchers, 4,337 trees planted)

Total: 6.5 kilometers, 6 kilometers, 7,608 trees planted

Note: Gap filling of trees lost in the first year will be implemented in June 2019

The road from Kadomtola chowrasta mor to Asma union porishod (1 kilometer) in Barhatta has been financed by Tom Priesmeyer of the USA in memory of his mother Alyce who died when he was a child of about 7 years old. The stone memorial will be maintained, repainted when needed, for the expected 18-20 years of the tree growth until harvest. The stone memorial is under preparation; only the design is shown in the photo.

Two social workers in Bogra died in late 2017 and early 2018. Both workers were named Abdul Kuddus. The one was serving as the in-charge of Dhunot upazila, was at home for a visit when he had a heart attack and died on October 16^th at 2:00 am, surviving are both parents, his wife and two sons—the elder one is Redowan (7) who reads in 1^st grade and younger one is Radik who is only two years old. His wife Shapla Khatun (35) is now taking care of these children. The 1.5 kilometer road from Amboil Poschimpara to Bamihal Purbopara village will serve as memorial for him.

The 2^nd Bogra worker who died on January 13, 2018, also named Abdul Kuddus, had worked many years in Bogra mainly to care for roadside trees. He then went abroad for a few years to Oman. When he returned he joined the project in Kishoregonj and helped to promote tree plantation at our centers. He was suffering from gallbladder cancer and died in a hospital, surviving are mother, wife and a son of only 1.5 year old. The 0.5 kilometer road Mominpur from Mominpur Poschimpara to Hatgari Bottola Tinmatha is a memorial to him. A case study of Majeda who lives with her elderly and ill husband is given below. Their two sons and one daughter are all married, having their own families now.

Case Study of Majeda, Sherpur upazila, Bogra 

Majeda (49) wife of Habu (58) lives in Mominpur village, Sherpur upazila under Bogra district; she is from an extreme hard core poor family. Her family consists of two members. She has two sons and one daughter; all of them got married and are living separately. Majeda doesn’t get any financial assistance from her children.

Majeda has a small plot of land only one decimal; a small house is made of tin on the top and bamboo fencing around it. Ten years before, they were living in Sariakandi upazila near the bank of Jamuna River. In 2008 their house was washed away by the river erosion; they became homeless. Then they moved to Mominpur village, the current location. Her husband is sick for the past four years and cannot help his wife.

Majeda used to work in a rice mill to support her family. From July 6, 2018 she is working as a caretaker of the roadside timber tree plantation project. She is taking care of 0.5 km roadside trees where 485 saplings were planted. She is earning BDT 1,300 (US$15.83, as per current conversion rate) per month for her service. She will utilize this money for the daily expenditure of her husband and herself; if possible, she will buy some livestock or land as well for the development of her family.

In Kachua of Chandpur 2,500 tree saplings were provided for poor families to plant at their homesteads, each family received 3 guava and 2 Akashmoni (fine timber trees). These were mentioned in the last report.

Likewise, 325 tree saplings were planted in Kashipur village of Singpur union in Nikli Kishoregonj. This is the village that had annually been under water for about 6 months, forcing the 250 families settled their to search their livelihoods in slum areas of cities or renting land in higher surrounding villages till the flood water receded. Since the local government took the beautiful initiative of raising the land above flood-level, PEP has been helping with drinking water tubewells, sanitary toilets and more recently plantation of 325 homestead trees for the poorest. A few photos are attached.

2017-2018 roadside plantation summary report of Bogra districts

1. From Panch Deoli to Beltola, 0.5 kilometer, Planted on 12/7/2017, 839 saplings, gap filling by 200 saplings, total planted 1,039 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 1,500.

2. From Mandail to Panisara, 1 kilometer, planted on 5/7/2017, 1,320 saplings, gap filling by 300 saplings, total planted 1,620 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 2,000.

3. From Gopalpur Hindupara  to Gulia pacca road, 0.5 kilometer, planted on 19/07/17, 663 saplings, gap filling by 180, total planted 843 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 1,700.

4. From Gopalpur Uttorpara   to Gulia pacca road, 0.5 kilometer, planted on 19/07/17, 693 saplings, gap filling by 90, total planted 783   saplings. 

5. From Bongram to Jamalpur, 1.5 kilometer, planted on 5/8/2017, 1,320 saplings, gap filling by 180 saplings, total planted 1,500 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 2,000.

6. From Mominpur to Hatgari, 0.5 kilometer, planted on 6/7/2018,   485 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 1,300.

7. From Amboil to Bamihal, 1.5 kilometer, planted on 6/7/2018, 1,140 saplings, 1 watcher, salary Tk. 1,800.

Total: 6 kilometers, total planted 7,410 saplings, 6 watchers

Note: Also, another 240 trees will be planted within next 10 days.

After initial preparation taken for the reforestation program in Netrokona, the tree plantation and employment of tree watchers was done in early and mid-September. We have mentioned in our last report that there were 5 roads initially selected for plantation of 8 kilometers; but, finally we have selected 3 roads of 6.5 kilometers and hired 6 tree weathers to look after the planted trees. They are:

1. Jahera, wife of Late Suroj, village: Harulia, union: Bausi, joining date: September 19, 2018.

2. Fatema, wife of Khaj, village: Hatiatola, union: Asma, joining date: September 20, 2018.

3. Halima, wife of Isob, village: Harulia, union: Bausi, joining date: September 19, 2018.

4. Jasmin, wife of Ilias, village: Baghmara, union: Asma, joining date: September 12, 2018.

5. Tohura, wife of Allad, village: Monas, union: Asma, joining date: September 10, 2018.

6. Rahela, wife of Asorjoma, village: Hatiatola, union: Asma, joining date September 21, 2018.

Case study of Jahera, Barhatta upazila, Netrokona

Jahera (42), wife of Late Suroj, village: Harulia of Barhatta upazila, Netrokona district, is from a hard core poor family. Her husband died of suffering from asthma about a year ago. She has three sons; the elder son has married and living separately with his family; the 2^nd son Nobi (12) reads in 4^th grade and the youngest son Moktar (8) has been studying in a madrasa (religious study). Nobi works for a sweet shop, earning Tk. 1,500 per month.

Jahera was employed as tree watcher since September 19, 2018. She looks after 690 trees from Ram Bhadrapur to Harulia Bazar.

The PEP workers and poor villagers who have been receiving fund from the donors give their warmest thanks for the kind assistance. If donors can also contact other family and friends who might assist with this vital environmental project, which is equally a poverty eradication effort, PEP would be further grateful. Including the homestead plantations, about 30% of the targeted fund needed for the project has so far been received.

Gratefully,

William Christensen, Founder & Voluntary Consultant, PEP

Mizanur Khan, Deputy Director, PEP