Badsha Mia, from Meshta village in Shanerhat union of Pirganj upazila in Rangpur, has had a passion for planting trees since his teenage years. Having no land of his own, in his youth he chose the sides of roads, mosques, various educational institutions and fallow plots. Over 20 years he has planted more than 30,000 trees, building a green environment in the area. To spread his greening drive, he often arrives at weddings and social functions bearing saplings as gifts.
On a visit to the site, fruit, timber and medicinal trees were seen lining both sides of roughly 3 kilometres of the Bardargah-Madarganj road, from Amtala in Meshta village to Bhagwanpur, with various fruits hanging from the trees.
Badsha did not stop at planting; he has tended each tree like a child, paying for fertiliser and pesticide out of his own pocket. His initiative has both beautified the area’s environment and increased its biodiversity.
“Trees do not just give oxygen; they protect human life and nature. So I request everyone to plant more and more trees,” Badsha Mia said. “I want nothing in return. People say Badsha planted these trees — that is my greatest reward. My dream is that one day the whole area will be wrapped in green, and people will be bound more closely to nature.”
Local residents Shamim, Imran and Ratan said the shade of Badsha’s trees gives relief to passers-by in the summer heat, while many also gather and eat fruit from the trees. Khondkar Ekhlasur Rahman, acting principal of Shanerhat KJ Islam Girls’ School and College, said Badsha was a true friend of the environment whose work was inspiring the new generation to plant trees and protect nature. He urged the government to award Badsha an environment medal.
Shanerhat Union Parishad chairman Mesbahur Rahman said that at a time of climate change, the efforts of people like Badsha were highly important for the country, and the example of greening he had set through personal effort was worth emulating.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmudul Hasan said Badsha was a tree lover and that the upazila administration would provide necessary support to help him continue planting.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report