Thai Princess opens vetiver grass pilot project in Ctg

Desk Report: The visiting Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Wednesday inaugurated Vetiver Grass Development Pilot Project in city’s Tigerpass area with view to check mudslides and preventing hill erosion in Chattogram city.

The Thai Princess inaugurated the project being jointly implemented by Thailand and Bangladesh in accordance with memorandum of understanding signed with Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) recently.

The new environmental conservation project has been taken up in collaboration with the Environment and Forest Ministry of Bangladesh, titled “Bangladesh-Thailand Vetiver Grass Development Project”.

After visiting Vetiver Grass Development Pilot Project site Maha Chakri Sirindhorn formally planted Vetiver sapling at Mitapahar of Tigerpass.

Minister for Environment and Forest Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Panprmon Suwannaponage, among others, addressed the brief function.

Vetiver grass inventor Prof Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam of BUET presented four minutes slide show before the audience.

Outlining the massive development project for conservation of environment and forest undertaken by Bangabandhu daughter Sheikh Hasina the environment minister conveyed the government of Thailand to walk together with Bangladesh for protection of environment.

“We have already graduated to developing country and present government is relentlessly striving to become middle income country by 2021 and developed country by 2041,” the minister pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said development of such vetiver grass is first ever in Bangladesh which will generate huge employment opportunity especially for women.

“If the project result is positive development of vetiver grass will immensely contribute to problems of hill erosion and nagging water logging in the city,” the Mayor said.

The city Mayor also conveyed thanks to Chaipattna Foundation of Thailand to come for assisting Vetiver Grass Development Pilot Project.

Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Panprmon Suwannaponage in her brief speech said the existing bilateral relationship in different fields between Thailand and Bangladesh will be strengthened in the days to come.

Earlier, a colorful tribal dance was presented in honour of the Thai Princess.

The Thai Princess also visited Ethnological Museum, Chattogram, country’s one of the most cultural enriching attractions. _BSS
 

risingbd/Dhaka/May 30, 2018/A K Azad