Members of Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) on Monday demanded an end to corruption in tree plantation, alongside protection of wetlands and afforestation and river dredging across the country.

The SCRF came up with the demand while holding a human chain in front of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on the occasion of World Drought and Warming Day in the city’s Segunbagicha area.

They also demanded taking effective measures to protect lives and nature and the life of people and agriculture, from the extreme heat waves caused by global climate change.

The SCRF also urged for recovering natural wetlands, extinct rivers and lands occupied illegally, and modernization of the river communication system and tree felling in the name of development, and stop irregularities and corruption in river mining and forestry.

Member secretary of Safe Waterway Implementation Movement Aminur Rasul Babul, who was present there, said droughts and heat waves will increase further in the coming years and to tackle the situation, all should have to protect the natural wetlands and forestry.

He also urged to ensure adequate tree plantation on both sides of the river banks.

Expressing concern, he also said the rivers cannot be protected if the inland water communication system is modernised.

Noting that the government has allocated sufficient funds, the speakers from the human chain said due to rampant corruption in river dredging, the desired success was not achieved.

He also demanded to stop corruption in river dredging and tree plantation projects.

DRU President Mursalin Nomani said to save from global warming, tree felling should be stopped, saplings should be planted on a large scale across the country and natural forests should be protected.

Presided over by SCRF President Ashish Kumar Dey, the human chain programme was moderated by Training and Research Secretary Mashiur Rahman Rubel while SCRF General Secretary Lion Jahangir Alam read out the welcome speech.