Ctg Correspondent
A 75-day ‘Forester Course’ for officials and employees of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) has begun at the Forest Academy in Chattogram.
The training programme was inaugurated at a ceremony at the Forest Academy on Monday.
A total of 29 BFRI officials and employees are participating in the course, which focuses on enhancing their knowledge and professional skills in forest management, forest resources, forest conservation and related areas.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Forest Academy Director and Course Director Mohammad Aminul Islam welcomed the chief guest and special guests with flowers.
Dr Md Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Environment Pollution Control and Law Division of the Environment Ministry, Forest and Climate Change, attended the programme as chief guest and formally declared the opening of the ‘Forester Course’.
Mohammad Anisur Rahman, Divisional Officer (Administration) of BFRI, delivered the welcome address. Dr Hasina Mariam, Chief Research Officer of the Forest Management Wing of BFRI, and Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Research Officer of the Forest Resources Wing, delivered goodwill addresses.
Mohammad Tarifur Bari, Director of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute and Joint Secretary, and Dr Md Jaglul Hossain, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests of the Forest Department, attended the ceremony as special guests and delivered speeches.
The programme was presided over by Mohammad Aminul Islam, Director of the Chattogram Forest Academy and Course Director of the Forester Course.
Deputy Conservator of Forests of the Forest Academy Md Anisur Rahman and Forest Ranger Sigma Alam, among other officials and employees concerned, were also present.
In their speeches, the speakers highlighted the importance of developing skilled manpower for forest resource conservation, sustainable forest management and addressing the impacts of climate change. They expressed hope that such training would strengthen coordination between forest research and management.
Following the inauguration, a tree-planting programme was held in the garden of the Forest Academy. A white sandalwood sapling, a soapnut sapling and a Tamal sapling were planted.
Officials concerned said the 75-day training would enhance the professional capabilities of BFRI officials and employees by providing them with modern and practical knowledge of forest resource management.
The ceremony was moderated by Ayakub Ali, Publicity Officer of BFRI and Course Coordinator of the Forester Course. #EK
