Local fruits for better health

Marking the Victory Day, a group of university students in Mymensingh has started a 400km walk to promote production of local fruits.

Under the banner of "Falad Bangladesh", a voluntary organisation, eight students of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal began the walk, named "Brikkha Padojatra" on December 16 as part of a social movement, said organisers.

Goutam Kumar Debnath, Mymensingh divisional coordinator of the organisation, said the 400km walk -- the longest of its kind so far -- started from the university campus and will end in Khagrachhari on December 31. In this time, the entourage will travel across 24 upazilas in seven districts.

University Vice-Chancellor Prof AHM Mustafizur Rahman inaugurated the programme.

Since beginning its journey in 2013, "Falad Bangladesh" has so far planted 2.75 lakh saplings of local fruit trees in 46 districts, said Dravid Saikat, chief co-ordinator of the organisation and assistant professor of the university's Department of Fine Arts.

Some 95 percent of the planted saplings have survived, said Saikat, who is also leading the eight-student team.  "We have a target of planting five crores of fruit saplings by 2030," he said.

However, he warned against the indiscriminate and unplanned planting of saplings. "We discourage people to plant exotic varieties of trees as we have observed that they can have a negative effect on our biodiversity and ecology," said the teacher.

The organisers said the walk will aim to inspire people and local authorities to produce local fruits. They will also plant fruit saplings with help of local volunteers.

Till writing of this report at 6pm yesterday, the students' team reached Kishoreganj, said Saikat.