Bangladeshi Educator Plants Over 60,000 Trees Across Four Decades of Environmental Advocacy
Photo Collected
Arifur Rahman Sardar, a 57-year-old educator and local government representative in Naogaon, has dedicated four decades to a reforestation crusade that has seen the planting of more than 60,000 trees across 20 districts in Bangladesh. Known locally as “Tree Friend Arif Sir,” he balances his professional duties as the principal of Raigaon Degree College and chairman of the Raigaon Union Parishad with his lifelong commitment to environmental preservation.
Sardar’s journey began in 1984 as a ninth-grade student. Lacking the funds to purchase saplings, he and his friends collected discarded palm seeds from their village in Shahrai and planted them along the roadsides. Watching the seeds grow into mature trees instilled in him a sense of purpose that evolved into a lifelong mission. Since then, he has expanded his efforts to include medicinal, timber, fruit-bearing, and ornamental trees.
His approach to environmentalism is proactive and consistent. When professional or political obligations take him away from his office, he is frequently found traveling by van to plant saplings in open or barren spaces. His reach extends to nearly every educational institution in the Mahadebpur Upazila, and his influence has spread far beyond his home district. Whether attending college orientation programs, weddings, or social gatherings, Sardar’s preferred gift is a tree sapling, which he encourages others to nurture.
Even during family vacations, Sardar remains focused on his goal. During a recent trip through the Sylhet division, he planted trees at several locations, bringing his total geographic impact to 20 districts. His ultimate ambition is to plant trees in every district across Bangladesh.
Local residents and colleagues have praised his selflessness and consistency. Afaz Uddin, a resident of Daul village, noted that the lush landscapes along several local roads, including the four-kilometer stretch from Mataji Hat to Chakrail, stand as living testaments to Sardar’s labor. Siddiqur Rahman, a former college principal, highlighted that Sardar performs this work as a form of social duty, seeking neither personal gain nor formal recognition.
Sardar views his tree-planting initiatives as a form of social responsibility rather than a hobby. He continues to monitor the growth of the trees he has planted, often providing care himself. For Sardar, the satisfaction of contributing to the environment and leaving a greener legacy for the future remains his primary motivation, one he hopes will inspire others to take similar action.
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