Let tree’s friend Badsha Mia be our beacon of light

Trees give us flowers, fruits, oxygen, and wood—they only give, taking nothing in return. Like trees, Badsha Mia is a selfless man. He is a friend of trees. Though his profession is day labour, his passion is planting trees. For the past 20 years, he has been planting saplings at his own expense along roadsides, in markets and village squares, at Eid grounds, mosques, and school fields. Now the people of the area eat the fruits of the trees he planted. Travellers find peace and comfort resting in their shade. The locals affectionately call him “Tree’s Friend Badsha.”

According to reports published in the media, Badsha Mia’s home is in Mesta village of Shanerhat Union, 15 kilometres from Pirganj upazila headquarters in Rangpur. The son of a farmer, Badsha Mia could not study due to financial hardship. At the age of seven, he began tending goats and cows in the fields. When he grew a little older, he became a day labourer. He has one son and one daughter. He owns no farmland; his house stands on four decimals of land.

Local residents said that for about 10 years, every Friday, 72-year-old Badsha Mia sets out with saplings tied to the back of his bicycle. After offering Friday prayers at any mosque in the union, he speaks to people about the benefits of trees. He gifts saplings and advises others to plant trees.

Many have called Badsha Mia mad, many have mocked him, but none could deter him. Out of love for trees, he has continued planting them wherever he has found space.

Today we face a grave threat of environmental disaster. The air in Bangladesh is becoming increasingly polluted. Due to the shortage of trees, even birds cannot build nests. For the sake of various infrastructure developments, we are constantly cutting down trees. We are gradually destroying our nature and biodiversity.

In this situation, Badsha Mia is not merely a source of inspiration—he is a beacon of light for us all. Badsha Mia has shown that not wealth but goodwill and love are enough. We would urge the government to grant state recognition to Badsha Mia for his work, and for the local administration to assist him in his efforts. In this age of destruction, Badsha Mia is our guide.