A Catholic priest in drought-hit northwestern Bangladesh has planted 3,000 saplings in a month to motivate people to fight desertification.

Father Ignatius Bindu Hembrom, parish priest of Christ the King of Peace Church at Chandpukur, has since July planted the trees on Church and government lands in Naogaon district as part of a campaign to “green” Bangladesh.

The campaign aims to inspire people to protect the environment through planting trees on uncultivated lands and roadsides.

“In my four years as parish priest I’ve found that it’s terribly hot during summer with severe cold spells in the winter,” said Father Hembrom. “Environmentalists predict that this area may turn into desert over the next two decades.”

People in the area already lack water for drinking and irrigation, and are unable to rear livestock and poultry.

The tree-planting project is not only to avoid desertification but also to generate profits, Father Hembron explained. “Fruit and herbal trees we plant will bear fruit within three years,” he predicted. “They will contribute to protecting the environment and financing the salaries for teachers at our newly-built school.”

The priest said he intends to plant another 2,000 fruit and herbal tree saplings over the coming month.

Parishioners lauded his efforts.

“Tree supply us with everything including food, shelter and oxygen. I thank and appreciate the efforts of Father Hembrom,” said Gopin Soren, a Santal Catholic village leader. “For the last two years, we didn’t have enough rain and the environment is getting hotter. Our fields are simply drying up,” he added.

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