Bangladesh Students Take Home 400 Saplings in Caritas Tree-Planting Drive

A simple act of planting a tree became a lesson in caring for creation for hundreds of young people as Caritas Bangladesh distributed and planted 500 saplings during a tree-planting program at the Bangladesh Rehabilitation and Assistance Center for Addicts (BARACA) campus in Kamalapur, Savar, near the capital city of Dhaka on September 24.

Around 200 students from St. Joseph High School and College in Dharenda joined Church leaders, educators, and Caritas staff in an initiative aimed at promoting environmental awareness and encouraging communities to take responsibility for the natural world.

Of the 500 saplings, 400 were distributed among students to plant at their homes, while the remaining 100 were planted across the BARACA premises.

The event was attended by Bishop James Romen Boiragi of Khulna, president of Caritas Bangladesh, who urged young people to move beyond symbolic tree planting and embrace environmentally responsible lifestyles.

Addressing the students, the bishop highlighted the importance of the “Three Rs” of environmental stewardship: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

“Reduce means minimizing waste and pollution, reuse means using items again, and recycle means processing old materials to create new products,” he said. “These practices can beautify and enrich our lives. Keep these three principles in mind and strive to make them part of your daily lives.”

His message echoed the Catholic Church’s growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and care for the Earth, particularly through initiatives that encourage practical action at the grassroots level.

For many of the students, the saplings represented more than just young trees. They symbolized a personal commitment to protecting the environment amid increasing concerns about climate change and ecological degradation.

“We received a mango sapling and an Azadirachta indica sapling each,” said student Shovon Gomes. “We will plant them at our homes and take care of the environment. We will not pollute the environment, because the responsibility of protecting this earth lies with us.”

Caritas Bangladesh Executive Director Daud Jibon Das used the occasion to highlight the organization’s long-term environmental vision.

“Caritas Bangladesh plans to plant 2.5 million trees over the next five years,” he said. “We must all become nature lovers and protect our environment. Through the gifts of nature, we can build a greener and more sustainable future.”

The initiative forms part of Caritas Bangladesh’s broader efforts to promote environmental conservation and strengthen climate resilience through community participation and public awareness.

Local Church leaders welcomed the program and noted its connection to ongoing ecological efforts within parish communities.

Fr. Amal Christopher D’Cruze, parish priest of St. Joseph Church in Dharenda, recalled that the parish recently observed the Season of Creation, an annual Christian initiative that encourages prayer and action for the environment.

“A few weeks ago, we observed the Season of Creation in our parish and called on the faithful to care for the environment and plant trees,” he said. “Later, while visiting families, I was pleasantly surprised to see many had planted new trees and were caring for them. I commend and thank Caritas Bangladesh for organizing this program in our parish.”

Teachers also encouraged students to see trees as living gifts that require long-term care.

One teacher from St. Joseph High School and College reminded participants that planting a sapling is only the first step. “Trees have life,” the teacher said. “We must care for them and nurture them.”

The program was attended by Br. Subal Lawrence Rozario, CSC, director of BARACA; Br. James Ripon Gomes, CSC, provincial of the Holy Cross Brothers; directors of Caritas Bangladesh; and staff from its central and Dhaka regional offices.

As students left the campus carrying saplings in their hands, organizers expressed hope that the small trees would grow into a lasting reminder that caring for creation begins with individual action and community commitment.