Khaled Ahmed, Pabna: BRAC Microfinance (Dabi+) Pabna-2 Region has distributed and planted 15,000 saplings of Bashak, a medicinal plant, in an initiative aimed at promoting environmental protection and creating economic opportunities for local people.The programme was inaugurated at around 10am on Sunday at Kuchiamora Sardia Graveyard Road in Ward No. 7 of Ataikula Union under Pabna Sadar upazila.As part of the initiative, Bashak saplings were distributed among BRAC members in front of the Kuchiamora branch office under the Pushpapara region. Saplings were also planted along both sides of the paved road in the area.The programme included a discussion meeting followed by the distribution and planting of the medicinal saplings.Principal of Sudhir Kumar High School and College Abdus Sabur attended the programme as the chief guest.Speaking at the event, Sabur said Bashak is a useful medicinal plant that is generally not eaten by livestock. As a result, he said, planting the trees around farmland can serve as a natural fence while also providing other benefits.He further said BRAC's initiative would contribute to maintaining environmental balance and create an opportunity for local people to become economically self-reliant with relatively little effort.The discussion meeting held before the plantation was conducted by Area Manager Sajjat Hossain.Panel Chairman of Ataikula Union Parishad Mizanur Rahman Molla, Ward No. 7 UP member Ruhul Amin and former president of the Ataikula Union Jubo Dal Abdul Malek also spoke at the meeting.Assistant teacher Abdul Majid, Sadar Thana Tanti Dal President Harun-or-Rashid, former president of Ward No. 7 BNP Abdur Razzak, local residents Md Ohidullah and PM Jasim Uddin, Regional Manager Mizanur Rahman, Branch Manager Shariful Islam, former Senior Branch Manager Sumon Hossain, Deputy Manager (BDU) Hasanuzzaman and Branch Accounts Officer Dipankar Debnath were present, among others.More than a hundred local men and women also attended the programme. Journalists from print, electronic and online media covered the event.