Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury. convenor of the 'Save 11.000 trees of Osmani Udyan', yesterday reiterated his appeal to the government to save the trees and shift the proposed site for the International Conference Centre from the park.

"Please refrain from such an anti-pCople act. People are not in favour of it as they badly need an open space”, he told a rally marking the World Environment Day at the park.

"The people who use the park are ordinary people who come here to take a fresh breath," the professor who teaches English at Dhaka University said while explaining the reasons behind the movement.

Professor Choudhury questioned the role of the ministry for environment that fails to protect such a park, so vital for the city's environment. In this connection he also referred to Raidhani Unnayan Kartri-pakkho, whose master plan designated the park as a “green space". The City Corporation also have a duty to save it. he

Professor Choudhury also blasted the City Corporation for its failure to play an active role. “They are busy in constructing markets only. They, in fact, have a duty to develop more such parks", he added.

He announced that there would be a meeting of the movement leaders at the DUCSU cafeteria at 4 p.m. to-

morrow to decide their next course of action.

Among others, the rally was also addressed by Dr T. Ali, an eminent physician, writer Shawkat Ali. Dr Akmal Hossain and Dr Tasnim Siddiq of Dhaka University. Professor Anu Mohammad of Jahangir-nagar University, Dr Shahdin Malik of Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust, Sardar Ruhin Hossain Prince, a youth leader. Advocate Abed Reza and Dr Faizul Hakim Lala.