:: Forest Department ::

NATIONAL ‘TREE FAIR’

‘Tree Fair’ plays an important role in the socio-economic context of Bangladesh. Tree fair is an important medium of sale and purchase of various type of plants and technology transfer in Bangladesh. Through ‘Tree Fair’, mass awareness of the usefulness of Trees and their conservation, utilization and contribution to economic development can take place. Gurupukur of Satkhira District holds the century old tradition of tree fair. People from all areas come here to take part in the fair spontaneously. Here, from the ancient time, interest in tree planting was encouraged through sale and purchase of plants.

Tree Fairs are organized at the government level in order to encourage people in tree planting and conservation, so that they can be involved directly in afforestation. Although tree fairs were held in different areas of Bangladesh, it was not until 1994 that they became a part of the country-wide movement initiated by the ‘Forest Department’ under ‘Ministry of Environment and Forest on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh. Persons who come to the Tree Fair can easily collect their desired plants from the Fair. As a result, they have no trouble to acquire the needed plants and can purchase varieties of species according to their choices from one place.

Main Purposes of Tree Fair :

	To motivate the public in tree planting, and to create mass awareness about the importance of trees and environment.
	To introduce different species of plants and explain their importance to the public.
	To supply to the public forest, fruit, flower, ornamental and medicinal plants according to their demands at reduced prices.
	To increase the quality of plants in respect of their fruit, floral and medicinal values through exhibition.
	To exhibit improved technology in producing trees, fruits. flowers and medicinal plants, and supply them.
	To exhibit and supply improved technology for raising seedlings.
	To supply modern and scientific information for plantation maintenance and necessary booklets, leaflets and folders to the public.
	To exhibit and sell local and foreign booklets on tree plantation and its maintenance.
	To inform the public about the varied uses of Forest resources through exhibition.
	To supply information on importance of trees and environment and create awareness.
	To create awareness on the economic benefits of Tree farming.
	To attract attention of the public to conserve Wildlife and Biodiversity.

Every year the Bangladesh Government arranges Tree Fairs country wide at the Division, District and Upazilla level to make the tree planting drive a successful movement.

A ‘Theme’ or 'Slogan' is determined every year to encourage the public in Tree Planting.

The Theme of ‘Tree Planting Movement and Tree Fair’- 2006 is:

Plant Timber, Fruit, Medicinal and Neem tree - Enrich your and country's growth.

Participation of Different Institutions in National Tree Fair During Previous Years (No. of Stalls):

Table-1
Year	Government	Semi Government	Private	Others	Total
2002	10	1	75	6	92
2003	19	1	82	6	108
2004	8	1	93	6	108
2005	13	6	110	7	136
2006	15	4	124	3	146
2007	11	4	92	3	110

Sale Status of Seedlings/Saplings by Different Stalls at ‘National Tree Fair’ During Previous Years:

Table-2
Year	Seedlings Sale (No.)	Seedlings Sale (Taka)
2002	6,35,870	1,01,08,072
2003	11,40,861	1,67,41,434
2004	16,12,125	1,87,85,515
2005	20,79,962	2,66,53,544
2006	23,94,126	3,68,15,403
2007	11,98,699	3,00,10,017

Exhibition of Different Species of Plants by Different Stalls during Previous Years (No. of Species):

Table-3
Species	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Fruit	215	200	220	270	275
Forest	185	30	50	89	90
Medicinal	258	160	200	242	245
Spices	30	15	20	20	20
Coconut	-	7	10	16	16
Cactus	-	400	380	380	390
Orchid	32	30	40	70	72
Decorative	625	350	400	322	332
Rare	28	32	50	19	21
Bonsai	-	25	25	35	37
Tissue culture	-	15	20	27	27
Total:	1373	1264	1415	1490	1525

Prime Minister’s National Award for Tree Planting:

Those who show unique performance in making the Tree planting movement a permanent, continuous and spontaneous social activity, receive the 'Prime Minister's National Tree planting Award as a mark of national recognition since 1992. At present tree planting activities of different people and organizations are categorized into 16 classes, and in each class 1 st, 2nd and 3rd prize along with money payable in cheque are given. Generally, every year The Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh inaugurates the National Tree Fair as Chief Guest and distributes 'Prime minister's National Award' among the winners.

According to the Present Rules, Prizes are awarded for the following 16 classes:

Table-4
#	Prize Class / Subject
1	Primary School / Abotedaye Madrasa
2	High School/Senior Madrasa
3	Girls High School/Girls college
4	College / University-College / University
5	Religious Institution (Mosque, Temple, Church)
6	Union Parishad, Upazilla Parishad, Zilla Parishad
7	Pouroshova / City Corporation
8	Directorate/Ministry / Sector Corporation / Institution
9	NGO / Club / Voluntary Agency
10	Tree Planting at Private Level
11	Private Nursery
12	Roof Top Garden
13	Forest Department’s Plantation
14	Public Representative's Contribution to Afforestation
15	Best Coconut plantation
16	Graveyard / Cemetery Plantation

Prime Minister's National Award for Tree Planting ' in different category :

Table-5
First Prize	20,000 Taka
Second Prize	15,000 Taka
Third Prize	10,000 Taka

Seedlings raised and distributed by different Government organizations during Tree planting movement:

During last three years, 1(one) crore of ‘coconut’ seedlings have been raised and distributed throughout the country by different Government Organizations. Among which Forest department under Ministry of Environment and Forest has raised 69 Lacs, BADC raised 25 Lacs and Agriculture Extension Division raised 6 Lacs seedlings.

During 2006 Government has taken up programme to raise and distribute 1(one) crore of ‘Neem’ seedlings throughout the country. Among which Forest department under Ministry of Environment and Forest will raise and distribute 80 Lacs and the rest 20 Lacs will be raised by Agriculture Ministry.