File photo of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Md Shahab Uddin CollectedThe program is playing an important role in creating working opportunities for rural people, he saysEnvironment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has told the House that the government has so far earned over Tk444 crore of revenue through social afforestation. The environment minister said a total of 701,732 beneficiaries, including 133,744 women, are involved in the gardens and forests created under the social afforestation program, reports BSS. Over Tk419 crore has so far been distributed among the beneficiaries, he said, adding that more than Tk119.39 crore was deposited in the Tree Plantation Fund from fiscal years 1981-82 to 2018-19 for conducting reforestation program. Shahab Uddin said creating socioeconomic opportunities for the rural landless, poor and destitute people is the main objective of the social afforestation program. And the program is playing an important role in creating working opportunities for rural people and reducing poverty apart from protecting the country's biodiversity and environment, he said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 16, 2020 15:33 UTC