EIDGAON, COX’S BAZAR — In an effort to counter climate vulnerability, restore indigenous biodiversity, and advance community-led climate action, the Centre for Environment, Human Rights & Development Forum (CEHRDF) organized a grassroots environmental awareness campaign and eco-friendly sapling distribution drive at the Schoolgate Station area in Jalalabad Union, Eidgaon Upazila.

Under this initiative, local residents received saplings of vital indigenous fruit and medicinal tree varieties, including Amla (Indian gooseberry), Arjuna, Almond, Black Plum (Jamun), and Olive. Speakers noted that promoting indigenous species serves a dual purpose: strengthening household economic resilience and nutrition while revitalizing local ecosystems through natural carbon sequestration, air purification, and soil conservation.

Addressing the assembly, Md. Ilias Miah, Chief Executive of CEHRDF, presented a sharp critique of structural drivers behind ecological degradation, framing environmental conservation not merely as an act of planting trees, but as an active moral and political struggle:

"Standing in sharp contrast to positive grassroots efforts is an institutional reality driven by predatory, profit-centric politics that accelerates the destruction of our forests and natural commons. Under the shield of state policy, deforestation, hill razing, river grabbing, wetland destruction, and the forced displacement of local communities are routinely normalized to maximize corporate profit. The nexus between ruling elites and commercial interests treats nature as a mere commodity, directly endangering biodiversity, fundamental human rights, food sovereignty, and the survival of future generations."

The distribution drive brought together regional youth leaders and community organizers, including CEHRDF Joint Chief Leader (LDS) Abdul Mannan Rana; Deputy Secretary (CGS) and Cox's Bazar West City Council Assistant Secretary Sahab Uddin Shihab; and Khurushkul Local Council Assistant Secretary Nazmul Huda Zisan.

Reaffirming its organizational commitment to environmental justice and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land), CEHRDF emphasized that environmental stewardship is a fundamental human right. The forum declared that grassroots tree distribution campaigns serve as an act of peaceful civic resistance—demanding transparent policy accountability, the protection of community sovereignty over natural resources, and an immediate end to predatory development models.