DHAKA: Green campaigners Thursday blasted government policy on import of alien trees for planting here as they said it causes tremendous loss to domestic biodiversity.

They also criticized use of hybrid seeds for bumper production of food-grains, alleging that it yields much but degrades the environment.     

“Production of paddy has increased in the country, but 80 percent of these are hybrid and these are not environment-friendly, said M.A. Sobhan, a researcher-consultant of Policy Research For Development Alternative (UBINIG), at a press briefing.  

The UBINIG, Naya Krishi Andolon and Narigrantha Prabartana jointly organized the press briefing at the National Press Club ahead of the upcoming International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.

The fertility of soil is decreasing as pesticides are causing fatal damage, Sobhan said.    

Farida Akhter, Executive Director of UBINIG, Sayyida Akhter of Narigranthana, Jahangir Alam Badal of Naya Krishi Andolon and Seema Das from UBINIG were also present.

BDST: 1310, May 20, 2010
RT/FA/MUA