2019.1 Bangladesh 2

Not defeated by difficulties, school forest children foster

Fulbari School is located in a rural town of the southwestern part in Bangladesh. As there is a big river nearby, agriculture is thriving. On the other hand, the area is facing a problem of river flooding in the rainy season. In order to solve this problem and to raise environmental awareness of students, the school participated in CFP since 2014. 

Initially, the understanding of the local residents was low and the planted seedlings were stolen or the tree planting sites were destroyed. Moreover, since the soil salinity is strong, it is not good environment for seedlings.  But the children are plowing the soil, are applying fertilizers and continuing the maintenance so that the seedlings would be rooted. In 2017, they planted 200 seedlings of native tree species and fruit trees. Also, in collaboration with a local NGO, they participated in the Green Wave, commemorating the Day of Biodiversity advocated by the United Nations and created opportunities to learn about the local biodiversity.  As they continued making efforts, seedlings are growing and children’s environmental awareness is developing though little by little. They intend to continue the activities in cooperation with the community so that the growing buds would not die out.