Referring to the arrest of some top forest officials on charges of corruption, he asked the officials and employees concerned to remain 100 per cent accountable in conserving trees and forests to avert such action.

"Stern legal actions will be taken if any official and employee's negligence is proved in protecting trees and forest resources," he warned.

The CA made the remarks while speaking at a function on the closing of the month-long countrywide National Tree Fair 2007 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

A total of 48 individuals and institutions in 16 categories were given Chief Adviser's National Award 2006 in Tree Plantation while one individual got a special award for outstanding performance in tree planting.

The CA distributed the award among the first-position holder in each category and the special award to Kartik Pramanik of Chapainawabganj.

Environment and Forest Adviser CS Karim presided over the function. Acting Secretary of the Environment Ministry AHM Rezaul Kabir delivered the address of welcome.

The head of the caretaker government said if necessary, the existing laws will be amended to make tougher provision to protect trees and forests.

He stressed the need for bringing strategic changes in forest management to ensure good governance, honesty and discipline in this sector. This responsibility basically falls on the Forest Department and its officials and employees, he said.

The CA noted that despite increase in the number of trees in the country following social afforestation and participation of people in tree planting, the situation is not improving as much as expected due to the wiping out of natural forests in different places.

"We all have to give attention in preserving forests for the sake of our future generation," he observed.

Narrating the macabre experience of the loss of 126 lives in landslides in Chittagong on June 10, the chief adviser said hill cutting will have to be stopped to maintain ecological balance.

"From now on, all will have to stop cutting hill at any cost and all concerned will have to keep vigilance so that no such human disaster recur," he said and informed the function that directive has been given to the authorities concerned in this regard.

The CA called upon all concerned to plant tree on hillocks and hills on a large scale to prevent landslide and restore natural environment.

He said the government has planned to bring 20 percent land under government and private forestation by the year 2015.

Advisers to the caretaker government, environmentalists and senior government officials were also present at the function.