As pressure on rural land grows Imaginative ways of better utilising existing land must be found In Western cities, authorities are experimenting with ways of using burial sites tn more Intensive but respectful ways. In Thakurgaon District In northwest Bangladesh this graveyard on khas land has recently been put to additional use through a block treeplantfrig scheme.

hi conjunction with-the focal graveyard committee. RDRS has planted the 9.7 acre site with over 9.000 trees with the assistance of World Food Programme (rheat Planted in August 1993. sixteen poor focal women are engaged for a 3 year period as tree caretakers, receiving a modest monthly wage In wheat. When the Jackfruit, neem, shishu and mahogany trees mature, under a 40 year agreement, the caretakers will share the harvest with the local graveyard committee.

No land is lost since burials are still conducted aniong the trees and the graveyard committee Is now better placed to look after the land. What was once a desolate and 1 neglected site Is transforming into a peaceful and fruitful final resting place for the departed.

—AM Ahmad