Daily Times

Trees in Bangladesh are often used as free advertising space, with every available inch of wood plastered with placards until the trunk is barely visible.

The billboards might disintegrate over time but the nails remain embedded deep in the wood — agitating tree-lover Sarder, who has devoted his life to healing these wounds.

“Trees have life. They feel pain just as we do,” the self-styled conservationist told AFP in Jessore district in the country’s southwest.

“I have seen how these nails have killed trees, and how they are causing them pain.”

But this year it occurred to him that planting trees was not enough — he needed to protect those already under threat.

Traversing battered roads with a bicycle, bucket and a metal rod welded with prongs, Sarder began prying thick nails and spikes from abused trees across the country.

Since he began his beautification drive in July he has collected more than 80 kilogrammes (176 pounds) of them.

“It looks easy, but it isn’t. It takes a lot of effort to pull out a rusted nail that has been there for years,” he said.

Seeking to inspire

It is arduous and thankless work.

“You know what breaks my heart the most? Most of these banners are advertising doctors, lawyers, tutors and other clinics,” he said.

“They all are well educated. Why on earth can’t they refrain from destroying a tree?”

Sarder often attracts crowds of curious onlookers as he goes about his work.

“No one really does this work. People thought I was crazy,” he said.

But sensing an opportunity to educate the public about his mission, he attached a placard to his bicycle extolling the benefits of trees and merits of conserving nature.

“I try my best to explain the importance of having more trees and inspire them to plant and save more trees.”

Bangladesh, a low-lying riverine country of 160 million, is particularly prone to floods.

Experts say trees, by soaking up water and reducing soil erosion, can help mitigate the devastation brought by yearly deluges.

“What we have failed to understand is that to keep the balance in nature, we need more trees,” he said.