The meeting was organised jointly by Paribesh Bachao Andolon (Save the Environment Movement) and fortnightly Anannya at the National Press Club demanding preservation of a green space at Block H of Mirpur Section 2 where more than one thousand trees were chopped down in April.

The speakers comprising environmentalists, lawyers, economists and residents of the area called for resolving the issue immediately and planting new saplings in the park.

They also demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the felling of trees and measures to save the park for the sake of the children.

Tasmima Hossain, editor of Anannya, said residents of the area are still in fear as the issue is not resolved yet and the people involved in the destruction of trees are powerful.

She said this type of irresponsible act must be stopped for proper grooming up of children.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, director of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), said it is really unbelievable that the government and the policymakers are not aware of the need of parks and open spaces in the city.

There is a competition for converting the parks and open spaces into market or public toilet, she said, adding 35 out of 61 open spaces have already been grabbed.

She said parks are not maintained properly although Dhaka City Corporation allocates money every year for their maintenance.

Comparing the destruction of park with genocide, former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Khandokar Ibrahim Khaled said we must wage movement whenever there is any evil attempt to destroy the greenery of the city.

The children should be given proper space for playing and breathing if we want to make them worthy citizens, he added.

"All of us should stage peaceful sit-in for at least one hour everyday if any incident like this takes place in or outside the city to stop it," he added.

Expressing solidarity with the initiatives taken by Paribesh Bachao Andolon and Anannya, noted economist Dr Atiur Rahman said unlimited lust and tendency to become rich overnight are pushing the nation back.

He urged all citizens to be united to save not only the Mirpur park but also all other parks and open spaces in the city.

Presiding over the meeting, noted writer Selina Hossain said those who do not work for saving the environment are not eligible for becoming the citizens.

Demanding stern punishment to those responsible for tree felling, she said it is the high time to stand against all ill-doers who bag lots of money and damage country's asset.

Poet and sculptor Rabiul Hossain, freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini, Paribesh Bachao Andolan Convener Abu Naser Khan and children and residents of the area also spoke on the occasion.